Mother's Day invites us to reflect on initiatives and good practices that help us understand the meaning of motherhood from a perspective of diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as the role of companies in supporting the first months after the birth of their employees' children.
Many women face the challenge of balancing their professional careers and their role as mothers. The pressure to be a perfect mother while advancing in the workplace can be overwhelming, but many women have found ways to achieve it. Raising children while working requires a solid support network, whether from family, friends, colleagues, or the employer themselves.
Achieving a healthy balance between motherhood and work involves setting clear boundaries and learning to manage time effectively. Often, women feel pressured to take on more responsibilities or be available at all times, which can negatively affect their personal life. Establishing clear boundaries is essential to protect both the time and energy needed for family and oneself.
Paid and unpaid work, including domestic and caregiving tasks, primarily falls on women. This situation entails a low social and economic valuation, affecting both women who are paid for this work and those who engage in household chores and childcare.
Various organizations have developed initiatives to make visible the sexual division of caregiving work. For example, "The Care Web" by Grow Gender and Work interactively shows how the division of care affects a mother's life and how to counteract these biases in organizations.
In this context, the report "Impact of Motherhood on the World of Work" by the Éforo Foundation, as well as Chapter 11 of the podcast "Transforming Businesses," reflect on how motherhood can be seen as a barrier to the employability and career development of women.
Work-life balance in companies is crucial. Initiatives like "The Right to Care" seek to raise awareness among companies about the importance of promoting the right to care for mothers, fathers, caregivers, and caretakers. It is vital that companies implement inclusive parental policies to ensure a balance between their employees' work and personal lives.
In Argentina, where the laws provide only 90 days of paid maternity leave, companies are implementing measures to create a more inclusive environment. Programs like "Baby on Board" recognize the diversity of family structures by considering primary and secondary caregivers regardless of gender. These initiatives aim to create support spaces that allow employees to fully enjoy all stages of their lives.
