SDGs NEWS – Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing gender equality and family-friendly policies by creating an inclusive environment where academic and professional responsibilities can be balanced with family life. Recognizing that sustainable gender equality cannot be achieved without structural support, UNAIR enforces clear policies and provides facilities that enable both men and women to share childcare duties fairly.
One of UNAIR’s most significant steps in this direction is the issuance of Circular Letter No. 5826/UN3/2024, which formally grants paternity leave to men. This regulation acknowledges the important role fathers play during and after childbirth, ensuring they have the time and space to support their partners and newborns without academic or career disadvantages.
The regulation is supported by Rector’s Decree No. 52/2020 on leave entitlements and Circular Letter No. 187/2021 on employee well-being, which together establish a comprehensive framework for leave and welfare rights. These policies guarantee that taking paternity leave is recognized as a legitimate and protected entitlement, thereby encouraging more fathers to actively participate in the earliest stages of childcare.
Through these measures, UNAIR sends a strong message: childcare is a shared responsibility, and men are encouraged to play an equal role in supporting the household. This progressive stance distinguishes UNAIR as a leader among Indonesian higher education institutions in embedding gender-sensitive policies into formal governance.
UNAIR’s combined approach of paternity leave and accessible childcare facilities directly addresses this challenge. By ensuring that fathers can participate fully in early childcare, and by providing institutional support for children’s education and care, UNAIR effectively reduces the childcare burden that often falls disproportionately on women.