Newzealand pays more attention to miscarriages, granting mothers and their partners paid leave

New Zealand lawmakers passed legislation on Wednesday granting mothers and their partners paid leave following a miscarriage or stillbirth.

The legislation, which passed parliament unanimously, provides three days of bereavement to employees who suffer tragic pregnancy outcomes.

New Zealand will be only the second country in the world, India being the other to have such a bereavement allowance.

“The passing of this bill shows that once again New Zealand is leading the way for progressive and compassionate legislation, becoming only the second country in the world to provide leave for miscarriage and stillbirth,” said the initiator of the bill, Labour Party MP Ginny Andersen.

“The bill will give women and their partners time to come to terms with their loss without having to tap into sick leave. Because their grief is not a sickness, it is a loss. And loss takes time,” Andersen said.