A Fairer Start for Mothers and Babies

The proposal submitted to the Federal Parliament to extend paid maternity leave to six months requires serious and prompt consideration. It is more than just a request, as it concerns a mother's recovery, a child's early growth, women's work, and the kind of society Nepal wishes to create. Childbirth puts immense physical and emotional strain on a woman. Many mothers are in pain and weary; their bodies are undergoing hormonal changes, and they face sleep deprivation. Others suffer from postpartum depression and complications arising from delivery. It is absurd to expect them to return to their professional responsibilities after just 98 days of leave. The first six months are equally important for a newborn, and it is recommended that a child be exclusively breastfed throughout this period. Breastfeeding provides essential nutrients and boosts immunity, protecting infants from some illnesses. Even so, it is difficult to sustain exclusive breastfeeding when a woman must return to work early, especially in the absence of a creche, a private nursing area, or adequate facilities for expressing and storing milk. While women in government institutions have relatively secure employment, many other women work on farms, in factories, stores, construction sites, and other informal sectors. Lawmaker Sita Thapaliya rightly said that the measure should benefit everyone, from women breaking stones to public servants. A maternity policy that solely covers paid workers in the formal sector would exclude the most disadvantaged mothers.