YINCHUAN -- Northwest China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region has adopted a regulation encouraging employers to offer a 10-day parental leave each year for both parents before their children turn four years of age.

The regulation, which will come into effect on Nov 1 this year, is aimed to encourage both parents to take part in child-rearing and ensure the healthy growth of young children, according to Zhou Wenying, head of the women's rights department of the Ningxia regional women's federation.

According to its previous policy, a male employee in Ningxia is entitled to a 25-day paternity leave when his wife is on maternity leave, Zhou said. "The new regulation, the first of its kind nationwide, will give both parents another 10-day annual leave."

The regulation encouraged employers to provide childcare services in workplace and put in place special facilities such as nursing rooms for pregnant and lactating women.