On April 4th, the Brazilian Senate approved a schedule to gradually extend paternity leave from 5 days to 20 days by 2030. This change follows a similar approval by the Chamber of Deputies in November of the previous year, driven largely by support from both left and right factions within the female congressional Caucus. The new law stipulates that the paternity leave will rise to 10 days in 2027 and 2028, increase to 15 days in 2029, and finally reach 20 days in 2030.

Although advocates hoped to extend the paternity leave to 30 days, this goal was not achieved, reflecting ongoing negotiations and debates regarding parental leave policies in Brazil. The approved proposal, put forward by Senator Ana Paula Lobato (PDT-MA), was passed with a symbolic vote, which does not require a formal count of votes. The Senate also adjusted the previously approved text from the Chamber by removing the option for employees to take the leave in a fragmented manner, finalizing a reformation designed to establish clearer guidelines for businesses regarding paternity leave compensation.

This gradual increase in paternity leave is a significant step toward improving parental rights in Brazil, addressing gender equality in childcare, and recognizing the importance of father involvement from early stages in child-rearing. The eventual implementation of this extended leave aims to not only support parents but also to foster a more balanced distribution of caregiving responsibilities within families, although the slow progress suggests there may be ongoing challenges in fully realizing these rights and benefits for fathers in Brazilian society.