Supreme Court Judge: Maternity Shouldn’t Be a Barrier to Women’s Careers

According to Supreme Court Judge Justice BV Nagarathna, maternity should not be a barrier in women’s careers, and providing access to quality childcare at work would ensure that motherhood does not become an impediment to women’s empowerment.

Justice Nagarathna, speaking as the guest of honour at the inauguration of a crèche facility at the Delhi High Court, said that no country, community, or economy can achieve its full potential without full and equal participation of women, and that reliable, affordable, and high-quality childcare is critical to encouraging more mothers to join and participate in the labour force.

“I’ve always believed that motherhood should not be a reason for women’s careers to stagnate or decline. Motherhood should not result in women being passed over for promotions or employment. In that context, I believe that providing quality childcare at work would go a long way toward ensuring that motherhood does not become an insurmountable barrier to women’s empowerment “Justice Nagarathna made a statement.

The Supreme Court judge also mentioned the “disappointing trend” of women leaving the workforce, including the legal profession, despite an increase in their entry, and suggested that one of the reasons for this was a lack of a substitute caregiver when they became parents. The event’s chief guest, Supreme Court judge Justice Indira Banerjee, praised the high court and said that opening a crèche facility was a big step toward equality and equal opportunity for women.

Justice Vipin Sanghi, the Acting Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, said that a crèche liberates every woman and that in today’s world, it is not only for mothers but also for fathers. He claimed that the high court crèche facility, in addition to lawyers and employees, could be used by litigants and that it would empower parents, particularly mothers.

In the high court, Justice Sanghi noted that the work participation rate for women in India was low, at 23%, and that one of the reasons for this was a lack of safe childcare.

Picture Courtesy: Google/Images are subject to copyright