Capitalising on mindset shifts

Patriarchal culture: The burden of childcare is overwhelmingly felt by working mothers during the pandemic. One way the government and companies can ease the burden is by making childcare services affordable and accessible.

WITH employers moving towards accepting remote work and flexible hours since the movement control order was implemented, now is a good time to capitalise on this changing mindset shift to push the government and companies to introduce more supportive policies for working parents.

According to Tan Mei Ling, who is World Bank Country Operations Officer and Gender Country Focal Point, increased child care demand is cited as the main reason why many mothers report being more stressed when working from home (WFH). This is primarily due to schools closing numerous times, forcing children to learn from home. Coupled with new forms of digital learning, it is no doubt that parents now have more on their plates.