Paternity leave right
Despite a significant increase in the number of women in the workforce, responsibility for childcare is still disproportionately placed on their shoulders. But even if we get past traditional cultural factors, men who wanted to play a more active role in their newborn's first few weeks and months faced the hurdle of a lack of legal protections. This makes the recent decision by the federal ombudsperson for protection against harassment even more significant, as it established that men have just as much right to paternity leave as women do to maternity leave.
The ombudsperson imposed a fine of Rs500,000 on the SBP for denying paternity leave to an employee whose request for 30-day leave was rejected because the central bank had no paternity leave policy. The complainant, whose application came on the birth of his son last April, successfully argued that the SBP, as a government body, must abide by the Maternity and Paternity Leave Act, 2023. That law gave mothers up to 180 days leave — among the highest in the world — and fathers up to 30 days leave. The legislation was designed to encourage shared responsibility from the very beginning of a child's life, and while there are still concerns over how leave is paid for, it is a welcome improvement on what came before.
Contrary to cultural beliefs and toxic masculine ideology, research shows how important it is for fathers to bond with their children, and that many women need significant support in the days and weeks after childbirth. Paternity leave is all about creating bonds between fathers and newborns during the most critical developmental days, supporting the mother's physical and mental recovery, and fostering a more equitable domestic environment.
Critics will fairly note that the law is still limited to government offices, but a more optimistic opinion would be that it will begin changing public perceptions and encourage private employers to follow suit. The ruling itself deserves nothing but praise, as it clearly carves the path for a more progressive Pakistan, where workplaces respect family life, and where active fatherhood is celebrated.