CEDAW report addresses need for work-life balance
“The Government report to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women highlights the need for a
cultural shift which accommodates working mothers,” said Parents Centre President Sharron Cole.
“The release of the report yesterday, referred to several government strategies which will enable working parents to
balance their work and family lives. The Dept of Labour’s Future of Work programme aims to examine and address the need
for comprehensive policies surrounding work-life balance. This is an excellent initatitive, and one which Parents Centre
is keen to support,” said Sharron Cole.
“However, the cost of childcare continues to limit the ability of mothers to return to work, as does the lack of
flexibility in the workplace. There is growing need for more employers to implement family-friendly policies which
accommodate the lives of working mothers,” said Sharron Cole.
“The development of a comprehensive work/life strategy is crucial if we are to move beyond the piecemeal approach of
occasional pieces of legislation. It will require nothing short of a cultural shift in our thinking, if we are to
recognise the value of investing time and resources in establishing feasible work-life policies.” Said Mrs Cole.
“Parents Centre is also eager to see initatives which recognise the valuable contribution many women make in their
local communities - through the volunteer and community work. The work of mothers at home is like the glue that keeps
our communities together.”
“The elimination of discrimination is about recognising women in their roles as mothers as well as the myriad of other
roles we perform,” said Sharron Cole.