CareerMum is a New Zealand based social enterprise focused on driving positive solutions to workplace challenges faced by mums.
It’s aim is to:
- support businesses to understand the social, business and economic benefits of supporting mothers in the workplace;
- support and empower women who are experiencing the challenges of resuming and growing their career after taking time out to start a family;
- broaden perspectives, and influence the conversations we are having about gender equality;
- influence and support the development of a robust national strategy for gender equality in New Zealand.
Why is this required?
A number of trends indicate the ‘career-versus-family’ predicament is very much alive. These trends can have a significant impact at a business and economic level, as well as at a personal level, and point to a need for greater awareness and action from businesses:
- We are leaking and underutilising skilled talent as women drop out of the workforce after having children, or take a step back in their career.
- Women are under-represented in senior positions, governance and in politics.
- Educated women are increasingly choosing their career ahead of starting a family.
- Our children are spending significantly more time in childcare compared with 15 years ago.
A narrow approach to workplace gender equality, that overlooks the need to support mothers in the workplace, carries the risk of further driving these emerging trends.
For further insight, view the CareerMum storyboard.
Share your thoughts
Join a community of career mums and proactive businesses on Facebook and Twitter. Share your thoughts, views and experiences, and contribute to discussions that will support an improvement to workplace gender equality in New Zealand.