Up to this point in Finlandthe law gave new mothers the right to maternity leave duration of 105 working days, fathers were entitled to 54 days. These two holidays were different, named differently, as happens in Italy, where, however, fathers have only 10 obligatory days to date, we are still lagging behind. Now things are changing even more in Finland. The new system comes into effect on August 1 parental leave (applicable from September 4), which provides for 160 days for each parent, regardless of gender promote greater equality.

The reform is intended not only to increase the number of days for both parents, who will thus have the right to be absent for 5 months after the birth of the child, but primarily aimed at changing the language and structure of the holiday. In some families, the Finnish media explain, two parents of the same sex, in others – one parent, in others, the children are adopted or are biological children of one parent. The gender-neutral language of the law allows legislators to view all of these families through the same provisions. Under the new policy, a maternity benefit of 40 working days will be provided; inThe parent who gave birth to the child will also have 160 days of parental leave and the same will apply to the other parent.. Of these 160 days, 63 will be passed from one to another depending on the needs of the family.

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Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin explained that “all parents who have custody of their child will have the same right to parental support.” and that all family models will be taken into account by this law. The reform, approved by Parliament on December 8, 2021, came into effect in early August, but began to apply to children born on or after September 4. The government’s goals are to more equitably share parental leave rights and thus care responsibilities, to increase non-discrimination and equity in working life, and to reduce the gender pay gap. The result is a modern and inclusive approach to the very concept of the family, which overcomes established differences and gender roles: there is something to learn from.