Motherhood should not hinder women's careers: NCW Chairperson

National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has stated that motherhood should not result in the loss of women's careers. In an interview given to PTI, she emphatically said that raising a child is the equal responsibility of both the mother and the father. She called for the creation of a supportive environment that allows women to maintain a balance between their professional aspirations and motherhood.

Rahatkar said, "When a child enters the home, the responsibility of the child belongs to everyone. It belongs to both the mother and the father. It is the equal responsibility of both." She added that women should advance their careers without compromising on motherhood, fulfill their dreams, and achieve their aspirations.

Highlighting the importance of childcare leave, she stated that the government is currently providing this facility and good work is being done in this direction. Significant efforts are also being made to ensure that this facility is more widely available in private companies. Rahatkar expressed confidence that if both parents raise children together and the Commission's other recommendations are implemented, women will be able to take good care of their homes and children, and there will be no gap in their careers.

She further stated that a mother should work with happiness and joy. Institutions that provide childcare facilities and support working mothers will also benefit from the contributions of women.

According to a report by Hindustan Times, the NCW made 37 recommendations to the Central Government last month to strengthen maternity and childcare security. These recommendations include extending gender-neutral childcare leave for private sector employees, introducing mandatory paid paternity leave in all sectors, and a proposal to create 5 lakh creche seats by 2030.

The Commission has submitted these recommendations to the Department of Personnel and Training, the Ministry of Women and Child Development, and the Ministry of Labour and Employment. These reforms have been suggested in nine key areas, including maternity benefits, childcare leave, paternity leave, childcare infrastructure, nursing and lactation support, private sector coverage, and workplace discrimination.

Rahatkar stated that these recommendations were prepared after extensive consultation with various stakeholders and she is confident that the government will accept them. She added that the government's vision is not merely about the progress of women, but about achieving national development through women's leadership, and full efforts are being made to implement it.