Sweden launched a new law on Monday that allows grandparents to step in and get paid parental leave while taking care of their grandchildren for up to three months of a child’s first year.

The development comes after the Swedish parliament, the 349-seat Riksdag, approved last December the government’s proposal on the transfer of parental allowance.

This comes 50 years after the Scandinavian country became the first in the world to introduce paid parental leave for fathers and not just mothers.

Under the law, parents can transfer some of their generous parental leave allowance to the child’s grandparents.

A parent couple can transfer a maximum of 45 days to others, while a single parent can transfer 90 days, according to the Social Insurance Agency, a government agency that administers the social insurance system.

This Scandinavian country of 10 million, known for its taxpayer-funded social welfare system, has over generations built a society where citizens are taken care of from cradle to grave.

In Sweden, you are entitled to be fully off work when your child is born. Parental benefit is paid out for 480 days, or about 16 months, per child.

Of those, the compensation for 390 days is calculated based on a person’s full income, while for the remaining 90 days, people get a fixed amount of 180 kronor ($17) per day.

There are also other benefits for parents in Sweden — they can also work reduced hours until the child is 8 years old, while government employees can get those reduced hours until the child turns 12.

By contrast, the United States is one of only a handful of countries — and the only industrialized one — that does not have a national paid maternity leave policy. The Family and Medical Leave Act provides eligible American workers with up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave per year, but that time is unpaid.

“We have no federal, national-level entitlement to paid parental leave at all,” said Vicki Shabo, who researches and advocates for paid family and medical leave programs in the United States at Washington, D.C.-based think tank New America.

Paid family leave programs have been created in 13 states and Washington, D.C., although the parental leave offered in those places is generally about three months — just a fraction of Sweden’s benefits. As of March of last year, only about a quarter of civilian workers in the U.S. got paid family leave, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Even in states that offer paid leave to bond with a new child, that time is not transferable to grandparents unless they are acting as the child’s parent, said Jared Make, vice president at nonprofit advocacy organization A Better Balance.

“Families often extend beyond the nuclear family,” Make said. “Examples like Sweden show just how far behind the United States is. We have a lot of work to do to catch up with the rest of the industrialised world.”

Alexandra Wallin of Sweden’s Social Insurance Agency told Swedish broadcaster SVT the new law will “give greater opportunities.”

Still, the rules for grandparents, she said, are the same as for ordinary parental allowance and require a person be insured for parental allowance, which most people in Sweden are.

There are conditions for parental allowance — a retiree can also take parental leave, for example, in which case the compensation is based on the person’s pension. A person may not look for work or study during the time they receive parental allowance.

In the central town of Avesta, about 140 kilometers (87 miles) northwest of Stockholm, Ritva Kärkkäinen told SVT she is considering taking time off work to care for her grandchildren.

In 1974, Sweden replaced gender-specific maternity leave with parental leave for both parents. At the time, the so-called parental insurance enabled parents to take six months off work per child — with each parent entitled to half of the days.

However, after that move, only 0.5% of the paid parental leave was taken by fathers, according to the Social Insurance Agency. Today, fathers in Sweden take around 30% of the paid parental leave, the agency said.

Associated Press writers David Keyton in Berlin and Claire Savage in Chicago contributed to this report.

A woman by the name of Mariam, also a 103-year-old woman, has shared her poignant story of love, heartbreak and unwavering patience, revealing how she waited her whole life for a man who never returned.

Mariam, a virgin, recounted her deep feelings for John, a young European adventurer she met in her youth. John, who travelled to Tanzania seeking adventure, formed a close bond with Mariam, who helped him acclimatise to his new environment. Their friendship blossomed into a profound love.

“I met John, a young white man from Europe who came to Tanzania in search of adventure and purpose. I helped him navigate and settle into his new environment. Over time, our friendship blossomed into something more. He was unlike anyone I had ever met. His manners, stories, and kindness fascinated me. He respected my culture and showed genuine interest in my life and aspirations,” Mariam recalled.

Their relationship deepened, and Mariam fell deeply in love with John, who appeared to reciprocate her feelings. They shared dreams and hopes for a future together. However, John’s sudden and unexplained departure shattered Mariam’s dreams.

“One day, John received an urgent summons to return to his hometown. He left without saying goodbye, and I was devastated. I searched for him for years, holding onto hope that he would return,” she said.

Despite the passage of time, Mariam remained committed to her cultural values, maintaining her virginity in anticipation of marriage with John. Her belief in preserving her purity until marriage was deeply ingrained in her culture.

“I remained a virgin, as it was expected in our culture to preserve purity until marriage. Even though I loved John deeply and we had an incredible bond, I remained steadfast in upholding this cultural value,” Mariam explained.

As years went by, the hope of John’s return faded, leaving Mariam feeling both betrayed and alone. Yet, she remained resolute in her promise to herself and her cultural beliefs.

“I refused to accept that he might not come back. Despite the wonderful moments we shared, I clung to the belief that John would eventually return,” she added.

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The Toronto Zoo has become a hot topic on social media after a TikTok video showcasing their gorillas and their Nigerian-inspired names went viral.

The video, posted by user @iam_mattesh, features the gorillas and nameplates identifying them as Ngozi, Nneka, and Sadiki. While some users found this amusing, others found it downright uncomfortable.

A follow-up comment by user @arojinle1 offered insights, bringing, a new perspective. He wrote, “The names given to the gorillas were not meant to insult Nigerians or Africans. Zoos often name their animals based on their region of origin. These gorillas are likely Cross River gorillas, native to Nigeria, so the zoo chose names reflecting their heritage.”

User @arojinle1 further clarified writing, “One of the gorillas is named Charles. Does that mean they’re calling every Charles an animal? There’s a reason behind zoo naming practices. The lion at the OOPL Zoom was named Àrẹ́mú because it was donated by former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo Arẹmu. Let’s not get upset over something with good intentions.”

Cultural Appropriation vs. Appreciation?
Furthermore, the naming of the gorillas treads on the fine line between cultural appropriation and appreciation.

While some see the Nigerian names as a respectful nod to the animals’ “heritage,” others fear that it brings back a history of dehumanisation.

The Toronto Zoo has yet to officially comment on the viral video or the ongoing discourse surrounding the gorillas’ names. However, their website does mention a commitment to animal welfare and species preservation efforts, which may align with their naming choices.

Room for Open Conversation
Finally, the whole controversy surrounding the Toronto Zoo’s gorilla names is culturally sensitive. Zoos have a responsibility to not only care for animals but also to educate the public about their origins and conservation needs.

Perhaps including explanations behind the naming choices in exhibits or on their website could help people understand better.

Popular Nigerian comedian, Layi Wasabi, has shared a hilarious and relatable story about his childhood discipline. In a recent interview, Layi Wasabi recounted how one of his uncles travelled for two hours just to flog him for failing his physics exam.

Layi Wasabi, known for his witty humor and storytelling, said: “I had uncles that travelled to flog me. One of them, Uncle Tunde, travelled from Ibadan to Abeokuta, a two-hour journey, just to flog me because I failed physics.”

The comedian continued, “I was so scared when I saw him coming. I knew I was in trouble. He flogged me so much that I thought I was going to die.”

Layi Wasabi’s experience is a familiar one for many Nigerians who have had to face the wrath of their parents or relatives for misbehaving or performing poorly in school.

Despite the punishment, Layi Wasabi credits his uncle’s discipline for shaping him into the person he is today. “It was tough at the time, but it taught me to be disciplined and focused,” he said.

Layi Wasabi’s story has resonated with many fans, who have taken to social media to share their own experiences of childhood discipline. The comedian’s ability to turn his experiences into humor has endeared him to many, and his story serves as a reminder that even in the toughest of times, there is always something to laugh about.

SPECIAL COVERAGE FROM #CHIVIDO2024

Davido has arrived to escort his bride, Chioma, who is radiantly prepared, and adorned in the regal elegance befitting a billionaire queen. As they enter, the air is suffused with a delightful fragrance, possibly from their luxurious perfumes, adding to the ambience of their grand entrance.

Expect further updates