Parly launches breastfeeding facility

Zvamaida Murwira Senior Reporter

Parliament has this morning launched a breastfeeding facility where it has earmarked a well furnished separate room for Members of Parliament and staff to nurse their babies during sittings of the august House.

The facility is expected to bring efficiency to Parliament business as female parliamentarians and staff no longer need to leave the august House during sittings for their homes and hotels to breastfeed as they will now have to do it within the building.

Members of parliament from right Nyarai Tsuura , Chido Madiwa, Goodluck Kwaramba, Priscilla Misihairabwi Mushonga have a feel of the sofa in the breast feeding room during the handover of the room to Members of Parliament and staff by acting president of Zimbabwe Civil Society Organisations Scaling up Nutrition Alliance Mr Tonderai Matsungo in Harare today.

The launch was presided over by Senate President, Cde Marble Chinomona where she took delivery of breastfeeding equipment that was donated by one of development partners.

This was after Parliament collaborated with a local non-governmental organisation — the Zimbabwe Civil Society Organisation Scaling Up Nutrition Alliance (ZCSOSUNA) — to set up a feeding room for nursing mothers.

Speaking at the occasion, Cde Chinomona commended ZCSOSUNA saying they had taken Parliament a step closer to its dream of a just and equal society for all.

“It is worth noting that this kind gesture could not have come at a more opportune time that this one when there have been increasing and critical conversations around neonatal and maternal health care across the world.