New Zealand introduces three days of paid abortion leave

New Zealand has once again demonstrated its pioneering role in the struggle for women’s rights. Parliament on Wednesday unanimously approved a new law granting women rights Miscarriage or stillbirth, As well as three days of special paid leave for their spouses. Employers in New Zealand must already offer loss leave in the event of a stillbirth (possible fetal death during pregnancy or childbirth) after 20 weeks or more. Remind him New York Times. The new law applies at any time and removes any ambiguity. At the outset of the bill, Labor MP Ginny Anderson explained in Parliament: “The grief that comes with a miscarriage is not a disease, it is a loss, it takes time to recover physically and mentally from such a loss.”

Ministry of Health of this country Five million people estimate that one in ten pregnancies end in miscarriage (when death occurs before the 28th week of pregnancy) and one in 200 babies die at birth (after the 28th week of pregnancy). Note that more than 95% of miscarriages occur during the first 12 to 14 weeks of pregnancy. “It’s an incredibly normal experience, but nature is not easy, it’s not that it’s painless.Renowned ecologist M.P. John Loki, Related Defender.

“Overcome Pain”

According to Ginny Anderson, the law is part of a long legislative tradition that has made New Zealand a pioneer for women’s rights. In 1893, it was the first country to grant them the right to vote. In 2018, specific paid leave was created for victims of domestic violence, aimed at helping them escape from their homes. “Once I realized that they needed time, physically or psychologically, to deal with the pain, I felt it gave women the confidence that they could ask for the time they needed, rather than live idle.” MP

This leave can also be given to parents who want to have a child through a surrogate mother (surrogate mother). However, this new law does not apply to women who have abortions. Innocent last year. If nationalist deputy Erica Stanford supports this speech, he regrets it “The pain, suffering and trauma she experienced during the abortion and the fact that they were not included in this bill makes her personally embarrassed.” Notice it Defender.

“Compassionate Vacation System”

New Zealand is not the first country in the world to adopt such a law. In India, the law provides for delivery Women who have a miscarriage have six weeks, “But because most employees do informal work, some of them can access it.”, Reveals the British daily. In Great Britain, if a miscarriage occurs before the end of the 24th week of pregnancy, no loss leave is granted. On the other hand, if the dead child is born after this date, it gives the mother the right to maternity leave and related pay. According to, no such obligation is expected for employers in the United States New York Times.

What in France? According to health insuranceMaternity leave is granted in case of death in utero or death during childbirth after 22 weeks of amenorrhea. Before or when “His birth weight was less than 500 grams”, Parents can ask their doctor about a strike that creates the right to compensation from health insurance.

Ginny Anderson “If we are one of the first, I hope we will not be the last, and other countries will begin to legislate for a fair and compassionate leave system that recognizes the pain and grief of miscarriage or birth.”