The birth of a child represents a turning point in the personal and professional lives of the parents, but men and women experience this transition unevenly in the workplace. The maternity and paternity leave laws, despite having evolved over the years, still reinforce disparities that directly impact women's careers.
While maternity leave in Brazil can last up to six months, paternity leave is much shorter, with only five business days guaranteed by law, what expands the challenge of gender equity in returning to work. Data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) still shows that, in 2021, the female participation rate in the workforce was 51,6%, well below 71,6% of men. This difference worsens after motherhood, with an increase of up to 50% in the participation gap between women and men who have children compared to those without children.
According toBia Nobrega, specialist in Human and Organizational Development, over the last 30 years, the job market has undergone significant advancements, but women still face barriers of all kinds after the birth of their children. Maternity continues to be one of the biggest challenges in women's professional careers. The consequences are especially evident during the first five years of a child's life, period in which dedication to child care is most intensive, account
Reduction of working hours, flexible hours, expansion of licenses, paid time off to deal with issues such as medical appointments and school adjustments, among other topics, they are still topics with quite embryonic discussions in the country. "Furthermore, when these topics are discussed, focuses on making them women's rights, when they should be extended to any caregiver, "just to overload women less when it comes to taking care of their careers and children", explain.
In this context, these professionals still face the difficult task of balancing professional life with domestic responsibilities in general – viewed as feminine responsibilities, and the effects of this imbalance are amplified by the lack of adequate support policies, how the supply of daycare centers and full-time schools. It is also important to highlight that single mothers are the second largest family formation in Brazil, what leads to them taking on even more responsibilities and challenges.
An unequal labor market
In addition to issues of participation in the labor market, there is also a considerable disparity in salary terms. Studies show that, in 2021, mothers earned about 22,8% less than parents in similar roles. This reflects both a devaluation of women's work and the cultural pressure that positions women as primary caregivers
To promote a more inclusive and equitable corporate environment, specialists suggest that companies adopt measures such as the flexibility of work hours, expansion of paternity leave and implementation of shared parental leave policies. It is necessary to create an organizational culture that supports both men and women in balancing professional and family life, so that equity goes beyond the office positions offered equally to all genders, defends the specialist.
The challenges faced by women after the birth of a child are, largely, reflection of rooted social norms. However, with the implementation of public and corporate policies focused on this issue, the impact of these inequalities can be reduced. Initiatives such as accessible daycare centers and the awareness that investing in support for early childhood is also taking care of a healthier future community, with access to better education and work conditions, they are fundamental steps for the development of a society that values and supports diversity
