United Nations: India is among almost 90 countries in the world which do not have national policies in place that ensure new fathers get adequate paid time off with their newborn babies, according to a new UNICEF analysis.
Almost two-thirds of the world’s children under one-year old nearly 90 million live in countries where their fathers are not entitled by law to a single day of paid paternity leave, the UN agency said.
India and Nigeria, which have high infant populations, are among the 92 countries which do not have national policies in place that ensure new fathers get adequate paid time off with their newborn babies.
UNICEF noted that around the world, momentum for family-friendly policies was growing.
It cited the example of India, where officials are proposing a Paternity Benefit Bill for consideration in the next session of Parliament which would allow fathers up to three months of paid paternity leave.
Noting that much work remains to be done, the UN agency said in eight countries across the world, including the United States which is home to nearly four million infants, there was no paid maternity or paternity leave policy.
Other countries with high infant populations, including Brazil and Congo, all have national paid paternity leave policies, although offering relatively short-term entitlements.
