South Africa to introduce shared parental leave after landmark judgment

Campaigners see the new ruling as the first big step towards more balance caregiving in South Africa. Photograph: Schalk van Zuydam/AP

South Africa is set to become the first country in Africa to introduce shared parental leave after a high court ruled that both parents must have the right to time off after the birth of a baby or adopting a child.

The landmark judgment allows parents to choose how to divide four months parental leave between them.