India’s childcare Leave (CCL) policy: Mom, baby and us

Source: The post India’s childcare Leave (CCL) policy has been created, based on the article “Mom, baby and us: Who takes care of the children?” published in “Indian Express” on 30th April 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 1-society-social issue

News: The article discusses how childcare is primarily seen as the mother’s responsibility in India, and how the government’s childcare leave policy mainly supports women, not men. It questions whether this policy reinforces unequal gender roles and explores the challenges small businesses face in implementing pro-women laws.

What is the Government’s Policy on Childcare Leave?

The Government of India offers a Childcare Leave (CCL) policy specifically for female government employees.

Eligible women can avail themselves of 730 days of paid leave during their service period to care for up to two children under the age of 18.

This leave is additional to regular maternity leave provisions.

Men are eligible for CCL only if they are single fathers.

In a recent legal case, the Supreme Court deemed the denial of CCL to a female employee a violation of constitutional rights, emphasizing its importance.
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What are the issues with the Government’s Policy on Childcare Leave (CCL)?

Gender Specificity: The CCL policy primarily benefits female employees, with male employees eligible only if they are single fathers. This could reinforce traditional gender roles where women are seen as primary caregivers.

Limited Applicability: The policy applies only to central government employees, not mandatorily extending to state governments or the private sector.

Implementation Challenges: The policy’s implementation in smaller firms is impractical, as 98% of firms are “micro” businesses with fewer than 10 employees, making it difficult to apply such benefits widely.

Potential Bias: There is a concern that such policies could lead to increased employer bias in larger establishments. Women might be perceived as potential liabilities due to additional leave benefits, affecting their hiring and career advancement opportunities.

What should be done?

The Supreme Court has affirmed CCL as a constitutional right for women, suggesting the need for uniform applicability across states, not just central government positions.

Redistribution of childcare within households and communities could alleviate the burden on mothers, necessitating a cultural shift towards shared parenting responsibilities.

Investing in the care economy is crucial for realizing the constitutional rights of mothers and acknowledging childcare as a social, not just a private, responsibility.

Question for practice:

Evaluate the effectiveness of India’s government childcare leave policy in promoting gender equality and supporting working mothers.