Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed into law on Tuesday (Mar. 31) the bill that extends paternity leave in Brazil. The extension will occur gradually, increasing from the current five days to 10 days in 2027, 15 days in 2028, and 20 days in 2029.

“It has been a 38-year wait to regulate paternity leave and extend this leave, which currently stands at five days and will then increase to 10, 15, and 20 days. This was a joint achievement of society, Parliament, and our participation,” highlighted Gleisi Hoffmann, head of the Secretariat of Institutional Relations.

“This law will teach men how to bathe a child, how to wake up at night to care for the child when it cries. He’ll have to learn how to change a diaper,” said Lula. “It’s a law I’m very pleased to sign it,” he added.

The bill was passed by the Senate on March 4. The topic, however, had been debated in Congress for 19 years.

Among the arguments in favor of passing the bill is the potential for greater parental involvement in caring for newborns or adopted children.