Why Your Workplace Could Soon Have Lactation Rooms for Mothers to Breastfeed

Companies could soon be forced to provide breastfeeding employees with lactation rooms to breastfeed their children if the Breastfeeding Mothers Bill, 2024 passes in the National Assembly.

The bill which has been introduced in parliament by Nominated Member of Parliament Sabina Chege seeks to provide a legal framework for mothers who may wish to breastfeed at their workplace.

The bill which has been read in the National Assembly for the first time stipulates that the lactation rooms should be clean, quiet, and free from the intrusion of other co-workers.

The lactating rooms should also have baby changing tables. The bill further provides for public restaurants and public bathrooms to have facilities that can be used by mothers to provide their children with the same services.

The Bill also seeks to protect employees from discrimination on any grounds relating to pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or any other maternity-related condition, in accessing employment opportunities or benefits.

Breastfeeding children in public has been an issue, especially at the workplace with new mothers being forced to either leave their jobs or take care of their newborn babies.