I have long been intrigued
by the question of what can be done to provide support to women juggling
several roles – mother, wife, daughter & professionals. One innovative
solution that has presented itself is quality day care for children; a place
where children are not only taken care of, but, also receive constant guidance
about their health, their studies and life skills.
There has been a surge in public discourse on
gender equality lately and women's careers and the gender gap in leadership are
getting a lot of attention. Societal sensitization about the girl child's right
to education is taking place and it is becoming more and more acceptable for
women to step outside of their homes and find work. Although it may seem that
today women are facing lesser or even no challenges on their way to the
workplace, a closer look displays another reality. Jobs are getting more
and more demanding with tight schedules and strict deadlines and there is little
time to focus on anything else other than the work assignments. Working women
today are finding it increasingly difficult to devote time to their children
due to this increasing workload.
Some women try to manage the office and kids by
hiring help but their child's safety is still constantly on their minds while
they are at work. Some take a sabbatical for two to three years until their
child is big enough for pre-school but the two year hiatus and loss of work
experience does not get looked over by the recruiters when these women return
to seek jobs. They seldom get the same positions they were holding
before. Some quit working entirely and devote their full time and
attention to their kids. However, this too doesn’t prove to be fail-proof. The
competitive environment in schools and colleges internalizes in children the
notion that they need to have a successful career for a successful life and
they are able to relate less with their mothers who are at home.
Day care services are emerging to be a very viable
solution to the question of childcare for working parents. However, in the
interest of increasing the affordability and accessibility of the day care
option, it is essential that there be support provided from corporate and that
they come forward to retain the female workforce for long.
While corporations help families meet financial
challenges and provide infrastructure it is imperative for families to come
forward and support women so they do not carry the guilt of not being present
with their kids. It is high time the whole system came forward to take concrete
steps towards making the women of India an equal partner in growth. So,
Corporations, husbands, parents, parents in law, grandparents….can the working
women of India count on your support?