As Rajya Sabha approves 26 weeks maternity leave, MPs point to fathers’ role

Women lawmakers on Thursday sought paternity leave norms to enable fathers to be active in childcare as the Rajya Sabha passed a Bill doubling the maternity leave for women.

The Maternity Benefits (Amendment) Bill allows 26 weeks maternity leave as against 12 weeks now.

“Men leave the burden of bringing up kids to women,” Rajya Sabha Member Anu Aga said. “By bringing in paternity leave, we can sensitise them on bringing up children,” she said.

India doesn’t have a law mandating paternity leave. From 1999, the Centre allows male staff to take 15 days paid leave. When fathers take more paternity leave, it may increase the ability of mothers to engage in paid work, according to the U.S. Department of Labour. “Motherhood is not restricted only to mothers,” said Rajani Patil of the Congress.