New UN data reveals mothers receive nearly eight times more paid leave than fathers, forcing women to shoulder the care burden.
Disparities in Global Paid Leave
According to a policy brief published on Thursday by gender equality agency UN Women and the World Bank Group, mothers globally receive an average of 196 days of paid leave, while fathers receive just 25 days. The survey of 190 economies found that fathers are guaranteed no paid leave at all in 66 economies, and in half of the remaining economies, they receive less than two weeks. Mothers also lack universal protection, with 61 economies offering less than the International Labour Organization standard of 14 weeks, and six economies guaranteeing no paid leave whatsoever. UN Women Deputy Executive Director Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda noted that while care sustains families and economies, women continue carrying a disproportionate share.
Impact on Families and Economies
The report, titled From Parenthood Leave to Childcare Services, indicates that this parenthood gap shapes family life long after parents return to work. When fathers take leave, they tend to share more childcare and housework over the long term, alleviating the burden on women who currently spend 2.5 times more hours per day on unpaid care work than men. Furthermore, paternity leave connects to higher earnings and employment for mothers, while involving more men can reduce the motherhood penalty faced by female co-workers. Children also experience benefits, as responsible fathering links to better cognitive functioning, language, emotion regulation, and behaviour. Recent research shows that over 64 percent of men would support higher taxes to expand public care services, and around one in four parents also care for older people with minimal support. Ahead of the International Day of Care and Support on October 29, UN agencies are advocating for care systems that challenge discriminatory gender norms, recognize men and boys as caregivers, and establish equal footing for all family members, while the ILO notes that investing in care services could create nearly 300 million jobs by 2035.
Source: Cosmo News Desk
