Maternity and paternity policy supporting women’s participation at Assiut University

Assiut University supports women’s participation in university life by applying rights and procedures related to maternity and childcare, helping balance family responsibilities with work and study requirements. These measures include paid maternity leave for employees, as well as the possibility of postponing examinations and assignments for students in accordance with applicable rules, as reflected in the new Labour Law and the Labour Law  .

Article 54 of the Labour Law provides that “a female employee is entitled to maternity leave for four months, covering the period before and after childbirth, provided that the postnatal portion of the leave is not less than forty-five days, and that she submits a medical certificate stating the expected date of childbirth.”

Article 55 also provides that “a female employee who breastfeeds her child during the two years following childbirth is entitled to two additional breastfeeding breaks, each of at least half an hour, which count as working hours without any reduction in pay.”

Article 57 provides for “unpaid childcare leave for a period not exceeding two years, subject to the conditions set out in the Article, for female employees in establishments employing 50 or more workers.”

Civil Service Law No. 81 of 2016 Under

Article 46 provides for “a reduction of one hour in daily working hours for a female employee who breastfeeds her child until the child reaches two years of age.”

Article 53 regulates the employee’s right to unpaid leave to care for her child for up to two years on each occasion, subject to a maximum of six years throughout her civil service.

the Universities Organization Law also

Article 80 of the Executive Regulations of the also provides: “If a student fails to sit an examination for a compelling reason accepted by the Faculty Council, the absence shall not be counted as a failure, provided that the student does not miss examinations on more than two occasions, whether consecutive or separate, during the years of study at the faculty. In cases of necessity, the University Council may grant the student a third opportunity.” Under this provision, student mothers may submit acceptable reasons to request postponement of examinations.

During the 2024/2025 academic year, a total of () female faculty members, assistant staff, and female employees applied for maternity leave and childcare leave. The breakdown is as follows: