The National Institute for Women (INAMU), celebrated the ruling of the Constitutional Court which granted a maternity license to a man after he asked to the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) the equivalent of a maternity leave in order to be able to take care of his newborn daughter, because his wife died hours after giving birth. Initially, the CCSS gave the man a disability leave with just 60% percent of his salary, rather than 100%, so the father filed an appeal.
We welcome this ruling, which is the first in our country. It opens the doors to achieve real equality for women and men in terms of raising and educating children,”
expressed Alejandra Mora, Minister for the Status of Women and Executive Secretary of INAMU.
According to INAMU, both father and mother are able to provide care and protection to minors and this permission equivalent to a maternity leave strengthens the rights of women.
INAMU adds that that decision strengthens the idea that the father should be upgraded from being just the breadwinner to the role of caregiver or jointly responsible of his children, even in the presence of the mother or other person in charge.