Swedish Fathers to Receive Three Months of Paid Paternity Leave from 2016

A 16-month paternal leave can be taken by either mothers or fathers; it can be used anytime up until the child turns eight years old.

The Swedish government to introduce a third month of paid paternity leave for fathers as of next year to increase gender equality. Sweden offers a generous 16-month parental leave which can be taken by either mothers or fathers, with two months of that set aside for dads.

“A third month is something we’ve really looked forward to. We know that this is a key issue towards attaining greater (gender) equality," said Social Security Minister Annika Strandhall.

Increased Paternity Leave Rights in Britain
In an attempt to help working mothers give their newborn child better attention, and fathers spend more time with their children, Britain has announced final plan to share leave

The country introduced a first month reserved specifically for fathers under a "use it or lose it" system in 1995, and a second month in 2002.

Under the government proposal, both mothers and fathers would be required to take three months each, or lose them. The remaining 10 months would be divided however the parents wish. But the reserved months have over the years become known as "daddy months" because they are aimed at encouraging fathers to share more of the parental leave.

Parents receive 80% of their salary while on leave, capped at a salary ceiling of around 4,000 euros ($4,360) per month.

Paternity Leave in France is Now �Child Welcome Leave�
Same-sex partners can now enjoy the same rights as other couples after French authorities changed paternity leave to ‘child welcome leave’.

Despite great strides in gender equality, Swedish men still earn more than women in general, and as a result men take more of an economic hit by staying home with their children. Forcing parents to "use it or lose it", which means mothers cannot get the months reserved for fathers, the policy therefore encourages dads to stay home.

Women currently claim around some 75% of parental leave, compared to 99.5% when it was introduced in 1974. Parental leave can be used anytime up until the child turns eight years old.

Paternity Leave for Hong Kong Dads
Despite objections from employers, Hong Kong fathers will be given three days' paternity leave for the first time following agreement to draft such laws.

Some 80% of children in Sweden have two working parents, but only around 40% of women work full-time compared to some 75% of men, according to 2013 statistics. Official figures from Eurostat show that 77% of women in Sweden held down a job in 2014, the highest level in the European Union.

Children are guaranteed a spot in daycare as of the age of 12 months for a very modest sum, making it possible for women to return to work.

French President Proposes 6 Months Paternity Leave for the Father After the Birth of a Child
A new parental leave law has been proposed by The French President Francois Hollande, which will enable fathers to avail six months of paid leave following the birth of a child.

The minority Social Democratic-led government plans to present its bill to parliament in the autumn, and it is expected to pass with the support of the Left and Liberal parties.

Source-Medindia