In a bid to advocate for improved paternity leave in the UK, which is among the least generous in Europe, campaigners have creatively attached life-size baby dolls in slings to prominent male statues in central London. The initiative, led by the Dad Shift campaign group, aims to underscore the significance of paternal involvement in early childhood development.
The UK currently offers new fathers a mere two weeks of paid leave at a rate of £184.03 per week, which is the lowest in Europe. This has led to a situation where one-third of UK fathers reportedly do not take any paternity leave, and half of those who do, face financial struggles afterward.
The campaigners are preparing to send an open letter to the Prime Minister, urging for prompt action on enhancing paternity leave policies. The letter argues that extended and affordable parental leave for fathers and co-parents benefits not only the family but also the economy, as countries with more generous paternity leave policies have a smaller gender pay gap and increased workforce participation.
The Dad Shift, co-founded by George Gabriel and Alex Lloyd Hunter, conducted the statue initiative with the help of Mel Pinet, an expert in baby sling tying and bonding. The unusual sight of statues with baby dolls has drawn significant attention and sparked conversations among morning commuters.
The campaigners are calling for “parental leave that is affordable, provides a substantial amount of time, and promotes equality among parents.” A recent poll conducted for the campaign launch revealed that 90% of fathers wish to be more involved in their children’s lives. The Labour party has pledged in its manifesto to review the parental leave system within its first year in government to better support working families.
The campaign has garnered support from the digital community Dope Black Dads, founded by Marvyn Harrison, who expressed optimism that the government will prioritize this issue. “The UK is lagging behind other countries in this area, and it’s urgent that we create conditions that enable men to be better parents, husbands, friends, and individuals,” Harrison said.
