Women’s Empowerment Minister considering 6 months maternity and paternity leaves in Indonesia

Photo: Pexels
Photo: Pexels

In Indonesia, women are entitled to a three-month government-mandated maternity leave. Activists argue that this is not enough and puts many women in the tough position of choosing between their careers and caring for their newborns if they were to need a longer maternity leave.

Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Yohana Yembise said today that her ministry has received many recommendations from several organizations to double the duration of government-mandated maternity leave in Indonesia.

“There are several female organizations who are asking for maternity leave to be increased to six months. That is already the case in many countries,” Yohana said, as quoted by Detik today.

In addition, her ministry is also considering recommendations that husbands also be given a six-month paternity leave on the grounds of gender equality regarding childcare.

“That’s a very good (idea) because (childcare) is the responsibility for all. At least, for the first six months (of a child’s life), they’ll get the care of their parents. Consequently, the child would turn out better,” she said.

“We will consider (these recommendations) first.”

By law, Indonesian fathers are currently entitled to just two days of paid paternity leave. Many think that is far too short a time for a man to give moral and physical support to his wife who has just given birth, let alone to get himself accustomed to responsibilities of caring for his new child.



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