ISLAMABAD: Paternity leave has been incorporated in the rules of the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW).

Men working in the commission will be able to avail 10 days of leave to take care of their wives and newborns.

In Oct 2012, the federal government had approved 10 days of paternity leave for government employees, making it possible for employees to take leave from the day their wives are admitted in hospital for delivery.

The leaves were to be with full pay and allowances outside their leave account. However, it was not declared necessary to avail the leave. NCSW representative Khalid Imran told Dawn that the matter was taken up during a meeting of the federal cabinet a few months ago.

“It was pointed out that the federal government had allowed paternity leave for employees but employees of NCSW, which works for women rights, could not avail the facility as it was not mentioned in the commission’s rules,” he said.

“Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari agreed and the leave was incorporated in NCSW rules,” he said.

Women working in the commission will be allowed a 90-day maternity leave.

Published in Dawn, January 16th, 2019