Parental leave and childcare are key to gender equality. Equal, non-transferable leave and accessible public care are vital for true parity.
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Spain is highlighted as one of the few countries where both mothers and fathers receive equal parental leave, a rarity globally where mothers often bear the primary caregiving responsibility. Parental leave is crucial for the welfare state, as childcare remains a major obstacle in women’s careers, making equalizing paternity leave a tool to reduce gender gaps. Despite advances, data shows mothers still take the majority of leave time. Parental leave systems vary greatly across countries, ranging from integrated models like Spain’s to fragmented ones. International comparisons reveal disparities, with some countries offering significantly more paid leave for mothers than fathers, and some, like the US, lacking paid leave options altogether. For true gender equality, the text argues that increasing and ensuring the utilization of paternity leave, alongside promoting mothers’ employability, is more important than simply extending maternity leave. Making parental leave non-transferable is cited as a highly effective measure. Spain’s implementation of equal, non-transferable leave has significantly increased fathers’ participation in childcare. Ultimately, the availability of accessible, high-quality public childcare services is deemed equally crucial to ensuring genuine equality upon returning to the workforce.
