Patriarch Kirill suggested thinking about increasing maternity leave

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ considers it expedient to increase the duration of maternity leave as part of support for pregnant women. He expressed this opinion at the plenary session of the Christmas parliamentary meetings in the State Duma. According to him, it may be advisable from the first days of pregnancy, since the most important in pregnancy are the first three months.

“I would ask respected parliamentarians to think about legislative norms that enhance the social protection of women from the first days of pregnancy. It may be appropriate to increase maternity leave or take other measures,” said Patriarch Kirill (quoted from TASS).

The Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church drew attention to the fact that the most important time for the health of a woman and a child is the first three months of pregnancy. “Already during this period, feeling natural uncertainty and fear, a woman should receive state assistance,” he stressed.

In Russia, maternity leave is divided into two parts, which follow each other. The first leave is provided for pregnancy and childbirth, the second – for childcare. In a normal pregnancy, maternity leave lasts 140 days: 70 calendar days before delivery and 70 calendar days after.

Milena Kostereva