Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP, Raghav Chadha, addressed Parliament, emphasizing the need for paternity leave to be legally mandated in all sectors in India. Chadha highlighted the imbalance in caregiving responsibilities post-childbirth, stressing that fathers should not have to choose between their jobs and caring for their newborns. He underscored the essential support mothers require after childbirth, advocating for shared parental responsibility and the necessity of paternity leave.
Chadha pointed out the disparity in paternity leave provisions, noting that currently, only Central government employees are entitled to 15 days of paternity leave, while the private sector lacks mandatory paternity leave policies. Drawing examples from countries like Sweden, Iceland, and Japan, where paternity leave is more extensive, he called for urgent policy changes in India to ensure shared caregiving responsibilities. Chadha urged the government to enact legislation that recognizes caregiving as a joint responsibility of both parents.
