LONDON (UK) – According to a survey conducted by a maternal rights group, almost three quarters of mothers in the country have been forced to slash work hours because of childcare issues caused by COVID-19 lockdowns. The group warned that more action was needed to protect the careers of women.
More than eight out of 10 working mothers said they needed childcare to be able to work. Less than half of the respondents said they had enough childcare to allow them to do their work during the pandemic, said data released by Pregnant Then Screwed on Saturday.
“This lack of childcare is destroying women’s careers,” said the campaign group’s founder and chief executive Joeli Brearley.
“They are being made redundant, they are being forced to cut their hours, and they are being treated negatively all because they are picking up the unpaid labour.”
According to studies across the globe, women are picking up more of the extra duties and childcare during the pandemic.
In Britain, schools and nurseries were told to close down during the lockdown and many families struggled to balance work and caring for children and homeschooling.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field
