Rwanda has once again positioned itself as a trailblazer on the African continent with the new reforms on its maternity leave policies, closing the gender gap step by step.
Rwanda’s government has introduced new set of reforms that extend maternity leave benefits while still ensuring full pay during the period.
In the changes, female employees who have recently given birth are now eligible for a total of 14 consecutive weeks of maternity leave, up from 12 weeks.
Additionally, the government’s Social Security Administration (SSA) covers and compensates the women for eight weeks while the employers cover the remaining six.
Furthermore, this period includes two weeks that can be taken before the anticipated delivery date, culminating in a total of 98 days off.
Annet Kokundeka, the Manager of the Maternity Leave Benefits Scheme at Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB), said that the move is meant to champion for the well-being of both mothers and their newborns.
“The primary objective here is to promote the health and well-being of both mothers and their newborns, by allowing additional time for recovery and bonding,” she stated.
“It is also to enhance health outcomes of the parent which can lead to improved productivity when mothers return to the workplace.”
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Other Maternity Benefits Women in Rwanda are Entitled to
At the same time, in cases where a baby is born prematurely, the employer is responsible for paying the mother a salary covering the period remaining until the expected nine-month delivery date.
Half of this amount is reimbursed to the employer by the Social Security Administration. After the initial leave, the mother is also entitled to 14 weeks of maternity leave, during which she receives full maternity benefits.
Also, the law dictates that in case of delivery complications, either for a woman or her newborn, the mother is given additional leave days of not more than one month.
On the other hand, if a woman gives birth to a stillborn after the start of the 20th week of pregnancy, the employer is obligated to pay her a salary of eight weeks, including two weeks covered and reimbursed to the employer by the Social Security Administration.
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Compensation in Cases of Death
The law also stipulates that if a woman on maternity leave passes away before the leave ends, the SSA will pay the father or legal guardian the remaining maternity benefits to ensure the well-being of the newborn.
Additionally, under the new law, a mother whose child dies after birth is still entitled to the full 14 weeks of maternity leave, with eight weeks covered by the government.
This measure supports the mother’s mental and physical health during a difficult time.
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