Mothers in the job market: understanding the situation today

The second Sunday in May marks every year the Mother's Day. Since the world is the world, mothers have suffered prejudice and embarrassment in professional environments because of their maternity. However, especially in the last few years, we have been able to observe a very positive movement of reversal of this type of behaviour. But then, how are mothers in the labour market today?

To understand what the current status is, we first need to understand the reasons behind the veiled prejudice. 

Prejudice against maternity in the labour market

Reconciling professional and personal life has never been an easy task, but it is even more complicated for mothers in the labour market. While men have always been seen by society as the family providers, women have always been in the role of caretakers of the home and children. 

Society has always looked down on mothers who stop being with their children or taking care of the house in order to choose to stay in a work environment, and they are judged daily for this. There is also a lack of understanding on the part of the companies themselves that encounter structural barriers and constant challenges simply because they are women.

It is even common for us to hear stories of women who had their maternity leave as of right, but soon after returning to work, were dismissed from the organisation. 

According to Panorama Mulher 2019, by Talenses in partnership with Insper, only 13% of the companies in Brazil have a woman in their presidency. Although the numbers are still not so encouraging, we already have indications that the mindset of companies towards mothers in the labour market is changing. See how:

The mother in the labour market today

Diversity is an agenda that is being increasingly worked on by companies, often even being placed as a priority. When we talk about diversity, we talk about diversity of gender, culture, religion, races, beliefs and ethnicities. 

Seeing mothers in the labour market as an integral and essential part of companies, just like any other type of collaborator, is the work we see spreading throughout the market. And the best of all: seeing the reality behind the specific needs that mothers have and always taking into consideration that this is what can even guarantee a different view of the world and of several situations that can contribute to the company as a whole and to its growth. 

Today, only 14% of Brazilian women say they don't want to have children, according to Woman360's 2019 survey The Mother in the Labour Market. How can we leave such a large portion of our society out of companies? Inclusion is not just a differential, it is a necessity and a mother's and a woman's right. 

We have a long way to go, but the horizon is positive! Initiatives within organisations are being carried out with increasing frequency and the mindset is changing. We can only wait and do our part in this new reality. 

To read more articles like this, keep following Alymente's blog.