Politicians now have two years to refine and develop the law, the report said.
Till now, mothers were given a leave of four months while fathers/partners were allowed a leave of a maximum of 10 days. Campaigners hailed judgement by calling it a “significant milestone.”
Berg, who is the MenCare officer at the organisation, said that the judgement highlighted a need for further reforms to align this policy (shared parental leave) with the reality of life in South Africa.
Nkululeko Mbuli, a communications strategist at Embrace (a social movement for mothers), told the publication that while this leave was a move in the right direction, it still shortchanged mothers.
Mbuli said that the judgement placed the responsibility for leaving with individuals rather than building a caring system. She pointed out that unemployed those working in insecure employment were left out.
Parental leaves across Africa range from 8-14 weeks. However, some countries only allow two to three days of leave.
