It’s time to bring fathers into fold of parental leave, Pg11

Key Highlights:

• The Supreme Court has advocated for removing the three-month age limit for adoptive mothers' maternity leave under the Code on Social Security, 2020.
• The court has urged the government to acknowledge paternity leave and create relevant regulations.
• The ruling emphasizes a rights-based approach for workers and a broader understanding of parenthood, irrespective of traditional gender roles.
• Current regulations allow male government employees 15 days of paternity leave, which the court suggests should be expanded.

Detailed Insights:

• The judgment broadens the definition of maternity benefit, linking it to motherhood rather than just childbirth, thus including adoptive and surrogate mothers.
• The court aims to challenge the gendered division of care labor by providing fathers a meaningful opportunity to participate in childcare and household responsibilities.
• The Time Use Survey 2024 indicates that women in India spend almost twice as much time on caregiving tasks compared to men.
• Countries with equitable parental leave policies, like Scandinavian nations, show a narrowing gap in care work between men and women, though disparities persist.
• OECD reports suggest that the actual duration of fathers' leave often depends on prevailing gender norms, highlighting the need for societal changes alongside policy measures.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Maternity Benefit: Financial assistance and leave provided to mothers around the time of childbirth or adoption.
• Paternity Leave: Leave granted to fathers around the time of childbirth or adoption to care for the child.
• Gender Norms: Societal expectations and attitudes regarding the roles and responsibilities of men and women.