The Council of Ministers approved two bills by the Ministry of Health on breastfeeding on Wednesday, aiming to facilitate breastfeeding in public places and workplaces.
As stated by the Minister of Health Michalis Damianos after the Cabinet meeting, the two pieces of legislation are part of the new national strategy for the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding in Cyprus.
"These pieces of legislation are a crucial step in strengthening support for breastfeeding mothers and ensuring their rights in both the workplace and public spaces," he said.
He explained that the legislation concerns the creation and provision of breastfeeding rooms in workplaces, as well as the determination of the minimum requirements for the existence of such rooms.
"Through this legislative regulation, we ensure that breastfeeding employees will have the opportunity to breastfeed or pump milk in their workplace, while simultaneously protecting children's rights to breastfeed, even after the mother returns to work," he said.
He also noted that the legislation also concerns the creation of breastfeeding and/or milk pumping rooms in public places, such as hospitals, airports, shopping malls and other public services, thus ensuring that breastfeeding mothers will have easy access to appropriate spaces to exercise their right to breastfeed or pump milk when visiting public services or other public spaces.
As he said, with the issuance of these laws, they are moving towards a family- and child-friendly society, as recommended by international organizations, such as the World Health Organization and UNICEF.
"It is a commitment that strengthens the position of motherhood in Cyprus and protects both mothers and their children," he said.
He added that the bills will now be submitted to the House of Representatives for discussion and expressed the hope that they will proceed immediately towards their completion. He described them as another step towards creating a society that respects and supports the rights of mothers and their children.
Source: KYPE