The Katsina State Government has enacted a new law granting female civil servants a four-month and ten-day leave period if they lose their husbands. The “Iddah Period Law” aligns with Islamic tradition, which prescribes a mourning period for widows.
The law follows a motion passed by the State House of Assembly, which called on the government to address the issue of the Iddah period. The Executive Arm, acting on recommendations from the Executive Council Members, approved the motion and implemented the new policy.
Katsina State Head of Civil Service, Alhaji Falalu Bawale, confirmed the development in an interview with Channels Television on Monday, July 22. He noted that a circular has been distributed to all state ministries, departments, and agencies, instructing them to grant female employees the opportunity to observe the Iddah period as required.
He said;
“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.”