In Europe, only an average of 3% of fathers use paternal leaves, ranging from 2% in Spain and Germany to 85% in Norway. This is one of the findings announced today at the workshop, which is promoted in Rome by the Italian Bishops Conference, about "When women work. Organisation of work and equal opportunities". Paternity leave does not exist in Europe, but only in some northern countries and in France. The case of Ireland is unique, as, when a child is born, the mother can take a three months’ leave, the father can take another three months’ leave, and then they can both alternate in the child’s care for another three months’ leave: "the three months’ paternal leave is lost if it is not used", and this makes the case of Ireland "an example in the fight against stereotypes about the paternal role". As to "good practices", the most outstanding ones are the policies of those countries "that have successfully combined family care, the rise in the birth rate and an increased number of women on the job market".
