The Katsina State Government has introduced the “Iddah Period Law,” which allows female civil servants to take a leave of four months and ten days if they lose their husbands.
The Iddah Period, observed in Islamic tradition, is a mourning period a woman undergoes after the death of her husband.
The new law was enacted following a motion passed by the State House of Assembly, which requested the state government to address the issue of the Iddah Period. The Executive Arm approved this motion, working on the recommendations provided by the Executive Council Members.
Katsina State’s Head of Civil Service, Alhaji Falalu Bawale, shared the news in an exclusive interview with Channels Television on Monday. He also noted that a circular has been issued to all ministries, departments, and agencies in the state, instructing them to grant female officers the opportunity to observe the Iddah period as needed.
“We decided to take the issue before the National Council on establishment so that it can be included in the civil service rules where women who lost their husbands will be allowed to stay and observe the Iddah period after the death of her husband.
“The council said, all states have the liberty to go and make a rule that suits their purpose. So we can come back here and present the issue before the state executive council, if it’s approved then it can be implemented.
“So we drafted a memo and presented it before the state executive council which the council graciously approved and considered our recommendations.
“We have now issued a circular to all ministries, departments and agencies to grant female officers the chance to observe Iddah period. It has now become a law”, he said.
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