Katsina State Empowers Widows with 4 Months of Mourning Leave

The Katsina State government has introduced a new policy granting female civil servants who have lost their husbands a 4-month and ten-day mourning leave.

This initiative, known as the “Iddah Period Law,” reflects Islamic customs that dictate a designated period of mourning for widows.

The State House of Assembly passed a motion urging the government to address the Iddah period issue. Subsequently, the Executive Council Members recommended and endorsed this motion, leading to the implementation of the policy.

Alhaji Falalu Bawale, the Katsina State Head of Civil Service, confirmed this decision in an interview with Channels Television on Monday, July 22. He mentioned that a circular has been dispatched to all state entities, instructing them to allow female employees to observe the mandatory Iddah period.

Bawale explained, “We took the matter to the National Council on Establishment to incorporate it into the civil service regulations, enabling widowed women to observe the Iddah period.” He further added, “The Council granted states the autonomy to establish rules that align with their needs. Consequently, we submitted a memorandum to the State Executive Council, which approved our suggestions.”

He concluded by stating, “A circular has been issued to all ministries, departments, and agencies, specifying that female officers are entitled to observe the Iddah period. This is now a legal requirement.”