We need to see more men pushing prams on streets says MP

Last month the Portfolio Committee on Labour heard from the Department of Labour that their proposed amendments to the Unemployment Insurance Act (Act No. 63 of 2001) include maternity benefits being de-linked from UIF. Essentially this would mean that if women claim maternity benefits but then are retrenched down line, they are not denied that payout because their credit is exhausted.

After the meeting People’s Assembly caught up with Independent Democrats, Haniff Hoosen, who had explained that he wanted to see more equality when it came to childcare.

“In South Africa there is just far too much responsibility placed on women in terms of maternity leave. I don’t think it should only be women who have to shoulder the responsibility... I think that responsibility should be shared by fathers equally and the way you do that is to provide the incentive that many other international countries have done like the Scandinavian countries. It then allows society to see more men pushing prams on the streets and that I think will go a long way towards women empowerment in South Africa.” says Hoosen.

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