Breastfeeding at work: Ministry urges employers to support mothers

Deputy health and social services minister Suzan Ndjaleka has called on employers in both the public and private sectors to introduce breastfeeding-friendly workplace policies, saying mothers should never have to choose between their careers and their children’s health.

Speaking at the commemoration of World Breastfeeding Week at Windhoek Central Hospital yesterday, Ndjaleka said creating sustainable support systems for breastfeeding mothers requires action beyond the health sector and into workplaces.

“The private and public sectors must evolve. A mother should never have to choose between her career and her child’s health. We call for robust maternity leave policies, dedicated breastfeeding corners, and flexible hours,” she said.

Ndjaleka said workplaces need to evolve to accommodate breastfeeding mothers.

This is not the first time that the government is calling on workplaces to make breastfeeding facilities available at their premises.

In 2024, The Namibian reported that the labour ministry called for employers to accommodate breastfeeding mothers at workplaces.