Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, April 6:

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed at the Supreme Court (SC) seeking its order to repeal a provision in the Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation (RNAC) Regulation of 2055 BS, which denies maternity leave for unmarried mothers.

“It is against the concept of rule of law and the right to equality to bar an unmarried mother from enjoying maternity leave,” states the PIL filed by four lawyers, including Prakashmani Sharma, representing Pro Public. The lawyers have said such a leave should not be denied to any woman, either married or unmarried.

“The leave is not meant for the delivery only, but for post-natal care of women.

So it is illogical to deny unmarried mothers from availing maternity leave,” the petition states.

Clause 115 of RNAC Regulation states maternity leave should be given only to married women for 60 days before and after the delivery. The PIL has been filed against the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation for the discriminatory provision in the Regulation.

They have given examples from

regulations of other organisation that do not bar unmarried mothers from enjoying maternity leave.