While the proposal to extend paternity leave is stalled in Congress, awaiting Senate consideration, the municipality of Mogi Mirim is making progress on the matter. Surpassing the federal proposal, the mayor approved Bill No. 0317/1960, authored by councilman and RenovaBR alumnus João Victor Gasparini, which extends paternity leave for civil servants to 30 days.
The measure arose from the efforts led by Gasparini, who perceived a growing demand among civil servants and followed the progress of discussions about early childhood in the country.
The councilman explains that the timing for the project's approval was favorable. “Some issues need to mature before being proposed. This one was already consolidated in the public debate,” says Gasparini. According to him, the idea gained strength as he listened to public servants on the subject and analyzed international evidence on the impact of paternal presence in the first days of a newborn's life. “Valuing early childhood means understanding that fathers and mothers need to be present in those first days of life,” he affirms.
How articulation became public policy.
Before the vote, the councilman sought out the secretariats and unions to broaden the negotiation and understood that extending the leave from 5 to 15 days would be insufficient given the national debate that calls for 20 days or more.
Despite ideological resistance and arguments based on a supposed increase in expenses, evidence and data prevailed. "The challenge was to show that this is not a superfluous benefit, but rather an essential policy for early childhood," he says. Gasparini explains that the city hall requested the finance and administration department to investigate data on the impact on spending, concluding that extending the leave to 30 days would cost only 0.0007% from the municipal budget.
Furthermore, the councilman points out that in terms of public policy, it's pointless to introduce revolutionary ideas without a more in-depth public debate. "Fortunately, this issue has been under discussion in the country for quite some time, allowing us to implement it in Mogi Mirim today," he notes.
Why 30 days make a difference for early childhood.
Organizations such as the WHO (World Health Organization) indicate that the father's presence in the first month of life strengthens bonds, reduces maternal burden, and improves child development indicators.
“We went from 5 days of leave to a month. These 30 days were chosen as a possible advancement, and being with our son during these first few days transforms the family experience,” Gasparini points out.
The councilman believes that the approval in Mogi Mirim could have an impact beyond the city's borders. He argues that seeing the city making progress on this issue sends a clear message that it is possible to implement robust social policies responsibly.
Paternity leave in Brazil today: what's at stake?
In early November, the Chamber of Deputies approved the bill regulating paternity leave in Brazil, extending the provision from 5 days to 20, with the possibility of a gradual increase starting in 2027.
Already approved by the Chamber of Deputies, the text now goes to the Senate and, if approved by the house, will go to the President of the Republic for his signature.
