Sixteen female teachers at Ndhiwa Comprehensive School in Nyanza are set to benefit from a new lactation room, an initiative by the Kenya Women Teachers Association (KEWOTA) aimed at supporting breastfeeding teachers.
The program provides a private and comfortable space for nursing mothers, helping them balance their professional and maternal responsibilities more effectively.
Ndhiwa Comprehensive School is the first institution in Nyanza to receive the facility, which allows teachers to breastfeed their infants during breaks, lunchtime and after school hours.
KEWOTA plans to expand the initiative to more schools nationwide to ensure working mothers receive the necessary support.
KEWOTA Marketing Manager Daniel Oswago, alongside other officials, officially handed over the facility to the school administration.
KEWOTA Coordinator in Homa Bay, Mercy Odhiambo, emphasized the significant health benefits of breastfeeding and urged school administrators in other regions to collaborate in setting up similar facilities.
“The separation from their children often leads to anxiety and mental health challenges for new mothers. This initiative not only supports breastfeeding but also reduces work-related stress, enabling teachers to focus on their duties,” said Odhiambo.
The program also incorporates a structured caregiving system, where house helps or family members bring babies to school at designated times for breastfeeding before taking them home.
This ensures that infants receive adequate nutrition while allowing teachers to concentrate on their work without undue stress.
Ndhiwa Comprehensive School was selected for the pilot project due to the high number of female teachers with young children. Currently, three teachers have infants, while two are expectant and will soon require the facility.
Deputy Headteacher Nedy Dulo highlighted the importance of such initiatives, noting that female teachers are required to resume work just four months after childbirth, a period when exclusive breastfeeding remains crucial.
“With the lactation room, teachers can continue breastfeeding their infants without compromising their professional responsibilities,” she said.
By supporting breastfeeding teachers, KEWOTA’s initiative is expected to improve teachers’ mental well-being, enhance job satisfaction, and contribute to better academic performance.
The association continues to advocate for the expansion of the program, urging policymakers and school administrators to prioritize the needs of working mothers in the education sector.
Edited by Beth Nyaga
