After Rajya Sabha passed a bill allowing working women 26 weeks maternity leave, women MPs are now demanding changes to leave rules to allow paternity leave.
According to a Hindu report, women lawmakers raised the issue that fathers should get paternity leave so that he can share responsibility in raising the new born.
According to business woman and Rajya Sabha MP Anu Aga, granting paternity leave would be a way to sensitise men to raise their children.
Congress MP Rajani Patel was quoted by the daily that “Motherhood is not restricted only to mothers”.
There are no particular laws in India on paternity leave. However since 1999, men are allowed to take leave for 15 days.
Following Maternity Benefits (Amendment) Bill amendment India now occupies the third position regarding the number of weeks (26) for maternity leave, behind Norway (44) and Canada (50).
