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 麻豆社 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
麻豆社 World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

More episodes

Previous

The man who invented the seat belt

Next

The Bluetooth story

See all episodes from Witness History

Broadcasts

  • Wed 3 Apr 2024 07:50GMT
    麻豆社 World Service
  • Wed 3 Apr 2024 11:50GMT
    麻豆社 World Service
  • Wed 3 Apr 2024 17:50GMT
    麻豆社 World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa
  • Wed 3 Apr 2024 21:50GMT
    麻豆社 World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
  • Thu 4 Apr 2024 02:50GMT
    麻豆社 World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

Podcast