WINDHOEK
The birth of a baby has from time immemorial been considered a blessing. However, women have to carry the unborn baby for nine months besides nursing the infant after birth with lesser involvement of their male partners.
In view of the debate on this subject in parliament, Berio Mbala took to the streets to get views on what the public thinks of the proposal that men should be granted paternity leave so that they could assist women to look after newborn babies and possibly, wash nappies and make food and this is what was said:
Jacky Hoeses: “Men should assist their wives when they are about to give birth and soon after delivery because that’s the difficult time in which women need more help from their partners, especially married men. The men should also go on leave so they also benefit from social security to help out the family.”
Bonny Angula: “Men should not go on paternity leave because maternity leave is for mothers who carried the baby for nine months. The mothers should go on leave so they use the opportunity to get some rest and not men.”
Annetji Garures feels men should not be granted paternity leave “because, first of all a man is not a woman. Maternity leave is for women. Why should men take leave? Its not like they are tired and need some rest, maybe if they should take two days off and help but definitely not leave.”
Chris Kazengurura supports the proposal saying, “Yes, men should take paternity leave and support their wives. Women have lots of things to do like cooking, washing nappies and looking after the baby. So, this is the time in which we, men should be there for our wives so that we get to wash nappies and cook for them while they are looking after the newborn. In the case of women who are not working and who only depend on their husbands, it is not good (getting no paternity leave) because we are not benefiting from social security that we are paying for. How are we getting our money back if our unemployed wives are not getting any thing, so it might be better if we take leave and benefit something from it.”
Dolly Hengari is a proponent of this notion. She says: “Definitely, because when I go on maternity leave, I wont be working so it should be the same with him. He should not work but he should stay at home and look after me. Both of us brought the baby about, therefore should both be there until the baby is delivered and then we go back to work, we go back together and both play the same part.”
Willam Esterhuizen: “No, the pregnancy is with the lady. Why should men go on paternity leave for? May be one can understand if he takes a day or two off to help out (but) not paternity leave (because) that is not normal for a man.”
This idea is supported by Eldries Hoaets. He gave a resounding “Yes.”
“I must be there for both of them, if they need something I should be the one giving it to them. Ladies go through hard pain during that time and in that case, they will appreciate it if we can be there for them.”
Lydia Heeulu does not think so. “No, I don’t think they should take paternity leave what for? Even if they take leave, its not like they help out, but they will use the time to go out to shebeens to drink and come home late to disturb the baby.”