Fathers entitled to equal parental leave, South Africa's top court rules

South Africa's top court rules for equal parental leave, granting both parents the flexibility to share the leave as desired. The ruling deems the current legislation discriminatory, granting mothers four months of leave while fathers receive just 10 days. The decision, aimed at promoting gender equality and family rights, is seen as a significant step towards shifting societal norms around parenting responsibilities, allowing for fair and shared caregiving duties. The court has given a three-year grace period for lawmakers to align the laws with the ruling, in the meantime empowering parents to decide on how to distribute the allocated leave.