Ivory Coast: Paternity leave for male civil servants and state agents who become fathers

The new status of the civil service adopted in Ivory Coast since November 2023 was explained on February 27, 2024, by Gninagafol Soro, Director General of the Civil Service.

In this new status, major innovations have been introduced for the benefit of civil servants.

The new status has introduced paternity leave for male civil servants and state agents who become fathers, allowing them to take days off to be with their partner and newborn.

« Law No. 892 of November 23, 2023, governs the careers of civil servants and state agents. This law provides for paternity leave to allow male civil servants and agents to take a few days to stay with their wife and newborn », specified the Director General of the Civil Service.

Furthermore, according to the provision of Article 96, « parental leave » is established to allow civil servants and state agents (both men and women) to stay at home to care for their child suffering from a serious illness.

Gninagafol Soro urged civil servants and state agents to familiarize themselves with this code, for which implementing decrees will soon be issued in a cabinet meeting by President Alassane Ouattara.

« It constitutes a crucial step in our commitment to the advent of a modern, transformed public administration capable of responding promptly to the needs of our citizens », concluded the Director General of the Civil Service.

Childcare is one of the main challenges faced by women in their professional careers. That is why, in recent years, governments have committed to promoting paternity leave as a means of addressing gender gaps at work and at home.

Ivory Coast has thus joined the list of countries offering both parents paid maternity and paternity leave.

André BAKOMA