Finland’s defence minister is swapping probably the most not easy jobs in politics, for a good more difficult task converting nappies and wiping up ill.
Despite a warmongering neighbour to the east, a tortuous NATO accession procedure and the beginning of a common election marketing campaign, Antti Kaikkonen has transform the primary male minister within the Nordic country to announce he takes a longer paternity go away: and he is being applauded for it.
“The office of Minister of Defence is an important one. However, for me it has also meant lots of travel and time away from home, especially during this year,” mentioned 48-year-old Kaikkonen.
“Sometimes you have to put your family first. I have two small children, a two-year-old and a baby boy who is six months old. I want to have memories of this time, and not only in photographs,” he informed Euronews.
Kaikkonen, from the Centre Party, is the newest minister in Sanna Marin’s executive to take parental go away — there were a minimum of 4 different ministers, all girls, who took day off after having youngsters. And whilst parental go away for fathers is somewhat regimen in Finland, it kind of feels to be much less commonplace in politics.
“Several ministers of the current government are parents to small kids and have had their maternity leave during these years. In the past, some male ministers in Finland have gone on to have their parental leave, but to my knowledge, there has not been a male minister who’s taken a longer parental leave,” he defined.
Parents in Finland are entitled to 158 running days of parental go away — which is to be had along with maternity go away — and can also be taken by means of both moms or fathers.
Fathers too can take separate paternity go away of as much as 54 running days, and obtain a day by day allowance referred to as “isyysraha” all over this time.
Kaikkonen says there is by no means a “right” second to take paternity go away as a result of the character of his activity, however notes that “no one, even a minister, is irreplaceable at their jobs. However, for our children, parents are irreplaceable.”
News of Kaikkonen’s choice to take prolonged paternity go away comes the similar week as Finland’s social safety provider Kela unveiled its newest child field, which has been presented loose to expectant moms for the ultimate 85 years.
The new 2023 version of the field has been hit by means of emerging manufacturing prices, and incorporates fewer pieces than sooner than, however has an emphasis on sustainability and the use of recycled fabrics the place conceivable.
Attention has additionally been paid to verify the longevity and practicality of particular person pieces like a snowsuit, a dozing bag that converts right into a blanket, bodysuit, trousers, hat and mittens — in addition to hygiene merchandise, child care pieces and a bed and crib constructed from the field itself.
What is the response to the minister’s paternity go away?
Reaction to Antti Kaikkonen’s prolonged paternity go away announcement has been overwhelmingly certain, from political buddies and foes alike.
A former minister from the opposition National Coalition Party referred to as it a “great solution” noting it confirmed “appreciation for your wife’s career and priority for the children.”
Charly Salonius-Pasternak, a safety coverage researcher on the Finnish Institute of International Affairs mentioned that Kaikkonen used to be “leading by example in a way that also oozes trust in the Ministry of Defence’s civil servants.”
“Bonus,” mentioned Salonius-Pasternak, “makes it hard for others to argue that they cannot do the same because of an important job.”
While Minister Kiakkonen is on go away some other Centre Party baby-kisser will fill in for him: “Finland’s security and our NATO accession process will be in good hands during this time,” he informed Euronews.
And does he have a message for different European executive ministers who to find themselves questioning about whether or not they will have to make the most of the parental go away rights of their nation?
“Every family makes their own decisions, and this was ours,” mentioned Kaikkonen.
“However, I hope that my decision could maybe even encourage some fathers to use this right. Children also bring a lot of joy and being home with kids can bring some welcome balance to a hectic working life.”
