ABSTRACT
Parenthood is still not viewed positively in the aid sector, most likely because everyone knows the impact it has on our ability to do the job, a job that requires more time and travel than parents can often give. Despite the length of parental leaves being quite moderate in the sector, at least from the Nordic standpoint, staff are often rushed back to work. To understand how parental leaves can support equality, let's try to understand the Nordic model, which is based on government-paid parental leave. Such a system would, of course, be more meaningful and equalising because it is implemented on a societal level, influencing attitudes and behaviour changes country-wide, rather than workplaces covering parental leave with a patchwork of different systems. Norway and Sweden have had very successful experiences with paid paternity leave that is earmarked for the father.
