Jacinda Kate Laurell Ardern, the third female prime minister of New Zealand, gained popularity across the world for her phenomenal approaches, and now the country has passed legislation giving mothers and their partners ‘paid leaves’ following a miscarriage.
New Zealand, following India, became the second country to focus on the right of parents to avail leaves after a miscarriage or stillbirth.
The bereavement allowance was passed unanimously in the Parliament that gives employees a right to three- days-leave in case of an ill-fated delivery.
“The bill will give women and their partners time to come to terms with their loss without having to tap into sick leave. Because their grief is not a sickness, it is a loss. And loss takes time”, maintained Labor Party MP Ginny Andersen, who initiated the bill.
“The leave provisions apply to mothers and their partners, as well as parents planning to have a child through adoption or surrogacy”, she added.
Final reading of my Bereavement Leave for Miscarriage Bill. This is a Bill about workers’ rights and fairness. I hope it gives people time to grieve and promotes greater openness about miscarriage. We should not be fearful of our bodies. pic.twitter.com/dwUWINVjLm
— Ginny Andersen (@ginnyandersen) March 24, 2021
As per details shared by the minister, one in four New Zealand women has had a miscarriage.
Read Also
Australian Govt Shocked as Videos Show Sex Acts in Parliament
Additionally, New Zealand was the first country in the world to give voting rights to women in 1893 and has been very vocal about addressing women’s rights as a whole.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, has been in limelight for many reasons including her approaches towards labor and working middle class, her ability to lead the state in mourning and to deal with the global pandemic.
Apart from New Zealand, India is the only other country with the same legislation though it is currently available only to women.
As per sources, the Maternity Benefit Act 1961 in India states that in case of miscarriage, a woman will be entitled to paid leave for six weeks immediately following the day of her miscarriage.