Maternity benefits may be granted to uninsured women based on the insured income of the child’s father, regardless of whether the parents are married or not. The changes approved by the government aim to eliminate disparities in treatment within the social protection system, according to IPN.

Until now, an uninsured woman could receive maternity benefits calculated based on her husband’s insured income. This option was not available to unmarried women, even if the child’s father was insured and assumed his parental responsibilities.

The new provisions allow the allowance to be calculated based on the insured income of the child’s father, provided that paternity has been acknowledged. Thus, the granting of financial support will no longer depend on the parents’ marital status.

According to the authorities, the changes are intended to create a more equitable social protection system and to prevent situations in which children are disadvantaged because of their parents’ family status.

Data from the Public Services Agency show that approximately 19% of children are born out of wedlock.