Accra:Granting up to 98 days of maternity leave for civil servants per birth acknowledges the challenges mothers face in balancing work responsibilities, postpartum recovery, and caring for a newborn. Dr. Rajwani Md Zain, a senior lecturer at Universiti Utara Malaysia's Centre for Applied Psychology, Policy and Social Work Studies, noted that the extended leave provides mothers with crucial time to adapt to life changes following childbirth.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, From a child welfare perspective, Dr. Rajwani emphasized the importance of early bonding time between mother and child, which helps in understanding the baby's needs more effectively. Additionally, the maternity leave entitlement can now accumulate to 490 days over a civil servant's career, offering greater flexibility for subsequent births under certain regulations.

She also commented on the RM20 million allocated for upgrading childcare centers in government facilities, stressing the need for these centers to be safe, accessible, and staffed by trained caregivers. Such improvements would alleviate parents' concerns about their children's safety while at work amidst ongoing social issues like abuse and accidents.

Dr. Janice Nga, a senior lecturer at Universiti Malaysia Sabah, welcomed the maternity leave extension but expressed concern that it might influence employers' hiring decisions regarding women. Additionally, she highlighted the importance of investing in AI-related skills training to support persons with disabilities, helping them gain independence and keep pace with technological advancements.