In an effort to further close the gender gap between men and women, French lawmakers have voted to make all maternity leaves and adoption leave entitlement to count toward a woman’s retirement. In the old law, women can only validate the first trimester of leave per child.

French Social Affairs and Health Minister Marisol Touraine welcomed the news on Sunday by tweeting:

‘Decree out today: all maternity leave taken into account for retirement. Promise kept. Major step forward for women’

In another statement, the minister lauded the steps France is taking to boost women’s rights and commented: ‘Taking into account all maternity and adoption leave represents a major step forward for women and for their families. It’s proof that a just and progressive pension reform is possible.’

The reform on maternity leaves is part of a wider gender quality bill that parliament lawmakers are enforcing to close the gender gap in France. The bill includes measures for equality in wages, more seats for women in higher corporate bodies and encourages men to share in more household tasks.

Early this year, parental leave law for fathers were also changed, encouraging more men to take leaves.