Kathmandu. The government has proposed to provide at least six months of paid maternity leave to the mother and 42 days of paid maternity leave to the father.

Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Sobita Gautam said that this provision has been proposed in the bill prepared to amend the Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Rights Act, 2075. Through social media today, he said that the bill will now be taken to the cabinet and then presented in the parliament.

Minister Gautam said that it was the responsibility of the state to support the parents to give enough time to the newborn and the family at a time when most of the families were being limited to one or two children due to the changing lifestyle and workload.

As per the proposed provision, the mother will be entitled to at least six months of paid maternity leave while the father will be entitled to 42 days of paid maternity leave.

Minister Gautam said that although childbirth is linked to the mother, it is not only the responsibility of the mother to raise the child.

The Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Rights Act, 2075 BS has made provisions for the right to safe motherhood and reproductive health.