Main content

Sweden's pioneering paternity leave

Fifty years ago Sweden became the first country in the world to offer paid parental leave that was gender neutral.

Fifty years ago Sweden became the first country in the world to offer paid parental leave that was gender neutral.

The state granted mothers and fathers 180 days that they could divide between them however they saw fit.

The pioneering policy was designed to promote gender equality, but it wasn鈥檛 an instant success.

Later governments decided to increase the number of leave days available and ring-fenced some specifically for each parent.

Maddy Savage went to meet Per Edlund who was one of the first fathers in his town, Katrineholm, to embrace the new benefit.

A Bespoken Media production for the 麻豆官网首页入口 World Service.

(Photo: Per Edlund with his youngest daughter M盲rta Edlund. Credit: Maddy Savage)

Available now

9 minutes

Last on

Thu 4 Apr 2024 02:50GMT

Broadcasts

  • Wed 3 Apr 2024 07:50GMT
  • Wed 3 Apr 2024 11:50GMT
  • Wed 3 Apr 2024 17:50GMT
  • Wed 3 Apr 2024 21:50GMT
  • Thu 4 Apr 2024 02:50GMT

Podcast