Interesting, I articled and worked for a major accounting firm. No benefit like that existed and if it did exist you wouldn't take advantage of it. No woman took 17 weeks- it was a career limiting move. Most female CAs were back working within 1 month. If you went 'part time", you were still working 40-50 hours a week.
Now that was a few years ago. However I know young females that are articling and they say the culture hasn't changed.
What firm does your wife work for?