Maternity protection and parental leave entitlements

Maternity protection includes protection against suspension or loss of income during maternity leave, and access to maternal health care. Maternity leave supported with cash benefits to fully or partially replace women’s earnings during the final stages of pregnancy and after childbirth is of critical importance for the well-being of pregnant women, new mothers and their families. The absence of income security during the final stages of pregnancy and after childbirth forces many women, especially those in the informal economy, to return to work prematurely, thereby putting at risk their own and their children’s health.

Another fundamental component of maternity protection is maternal health care, namely effective access to adequate medical care and services during pregnancy and childbirth, and beyond, to ensure the health of both mothers and children. As with health care in general, a lack of effective access to maternal health care coverage not only puts the health of women and children at risk, but also exposes families to significantly increased risk of poverty.

Maternity protection also includes the protection of women’s rights at work during maternity and beyond, through measures that safeguard employment, protect women against discrimination and dismissals, and allow them to return to their jobs after maternity leave under conditions that take into account their specific circumstances. It also includes occupational safety and health components that are essential to protect the health of pregnant and breastfeeding women and their babies, as well as ­women’s ­reproductive capacity.