The National Organisation of Women (NOW) is in full support of Government’s decision to increase maternity leave in Barbados to 14 weeks.
President Melissa Savoury-Gittens yesterday said mothers would appreciate having more time with their newborns.
The measure was introduced yesterday in the House of Assembly, by Minister in the Ministry of Finance Ryan Straughn, during his first Financial Statement and Budgetary Proposals .
From June 1, mothers will now have 14 weeks of maternity leave for a single child and 17 weeks for multiple births.
Straughn also highlighted the need to support parents in a myriad of ways.
“We’ve also spoken about increasing our support to Parent Education for Development in Barbados (PAREDOS) and the introduction of parental life coaches to assist parents and young children with coping with the social and psychological challenges of rapidly and continuously changing family and community dynamics. This particular matter has been long in coming but with the structural adjustments to debt and our fiscal situation with COVID-19 behind us, as the economy has not fully recovered, we can now confidently address further support for Bajan families,” the minister said.
The president said NOW
had already suggested an increase in maternity leave was needed.
“It’s a step in the right direction,” she said.
“It’s something that we’ve been calling for and recently sent out for International Women’s Day. It’s not as much as I would have liked, however, it is the right step as it will help mothers to bond with their children. That period is very critical to the development of children. I’m glad Government has seen that and done this.”
Savoury-Gittens said NOW still hoped maternity leave would eventually be extended to 24 weeks.
She also gave a thumbs up to the decision to introduce a three-week paternity leave.
“I’m happy for fathers as well. Mothers do need help,” she said. “Sometimes mothers can’t sleep and if the father is there and can assist while mother gets some rest, that also helps,” she said (BA)
