Bangalore-based woman Bindu Vaz, a legal associate and a corporate communication manager has started an online petition demanding a policy for creche in private offices. The petition will be sent to Maneka Gandhi, Union Minister for Women and Child Development. Over 3000 people have already signed this petition.
After facing the hardships in her own life, Bindu, a single parent of a 14-year-old daughter came up with this idea. She said in her petition: "15 years ago, I was one of them. I had to choose between full-time work and my daughter. Needless to say, I chose my daughter and was a stay-at-home mother for five years. These hard choices need to end." Once the petition is signed by 4,000 people, it will be sent to the Union Minister for Women and Child Development.
"Women make up 24% of India's workforce. But, only 5% of them reach the top level compared to the global average of 20%. While there are many reasons for this imbalance, the absence of day-care at the workplace keeps millions of working women at the back seat. This is why I am asking the Ministry of Women and Child Development to make it mandatory for corporates to have creches at workplaces," she adds.
The existing Rajiv Gandhi National Creche Scheme for children of working mothers covers only tribal, rural and urban children across 449 districts. In 2013, the Ministry of Women and Child Development passed a resolution to provide and promote creche and day care facilities for children of working mothers, mothers belonging to poor families, ailing mothers and single parents. However, this is not made mandatory for private companies yet.
The petition further stated: "Day-care at the workplace will change the lives of millions of working women. It will be good for children as well. It will reduce pressure on the family to provide childcare while parents go to work. And because a happy workplace is a productive workplace, it will be good for the companies too."
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