Hi everyone,

Happy to share that I had a successful meeting with Ms. Rekha Sharma, the Chairperson of the National Commission for Women (NCW). I’m so grateful to her for giving me the opportunity to share my story of the experience I had as a new mother of two in 2017 and to present my appeal for amendments in the Maternity Benefits Law:
1) removing the 3-month age limitation so that adoptive mothers of kids above that age also get paid leave
2) to grant adoptive moms 26 weeks of leave similar to those available to biological mothers.

Ms. Sharma was extremely empathetic and welcomed my suggestions. She remarked that I had come at the right time as the NCW is in the process of finalising recommendations for changes in the same law! I feel assured that my request will also be in the recommendations NCW sends to the Law Ministry. Convey your thanks to NCW too.

I wouldn’t have come this far without the support of 40,000 people who signed my petition and stood with me this past year. Thank you for sparing the time and making the effort. It means a lot to me.

Given how well this meeting went, it would be nice if some of you could spare a few seconds to thank the NCW chief for accepting my petition. Click here to thank Ms. Rekha Sharma via Twitter.

Or comment below, in case you don’t use Twitter. I’ll be sure to share your comments with Ms. Sharma.

Thank you,
Hamsaanandini
A grateful working mother