France wants more dads to take time off for babies
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French President Francois Hollande delivers his speech during a conference on the eve of the International Women's Day in Paris on March 7, 2013. Mr Hollande is proposing legislation to get more dads on paternity leave and moms back to work faster. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
PARIS (AP) - France's president is proposing legislation to get more dads on paternity leave and moms back to work faster.
Francois Hollande, a never-married father of four, also wants more state aid for single parents whose partners fail to pay child support.
Hollande linked the proposals to International Women's Day on Friday. Hollande has made a point of promoting women's rights, naming an equal rights minister and making half of his Cabinet female.
His proposed parental leave law would allow fathers to take up to six months of paid leave after the birth of a child and extend other long-term parental leave benefits to fathers.
