Nominated Senator Martha Wangare has hailed the passing of a Bill requiring all companies and government institutions to build breastfeeding rooms for their women staff.
The breastfeeding clause in the Health Bill, 2015 that was sponsored by Kitui South MP Rachael Nyamai, was passed by Parliament on Wednesday.
Nyamai chairs the Parliamentary health committee.
Wangare said lactating mothers face challenges at their workplace as they are not allowed to breastfeed due to lack of a lactation room.
“Personally, I feel that passing the Bill was a great relief to women because I had similar challenges when I was nominated to the Senate because I had a two-month old baby and I had to go back home to breastfeed since there was no lactation room,” she said on Thursday when contacted for comment.
She also said the law came into place a little bit too late as the World Health Organisation advocates having lactation rooms in every institution.
With the passing of the Bill, companies and government institutions will be required to provide the facility for lactating women.
In Parliament, a building is under construction to house lactating mothers and 1,000 workers are expected to benefit from its construction according to the Senator.