The 2013 Gender Award recipient, ErmelitaGuterres, urged the Secretary of State for the Promotion of Equality (SEPI) to establish crèches at all government institutions as well as private institutions so new mothers can return to work after the three-month maternal leave period as some new mothers struggle to find babysitters.
She added that establishing crèches will enable new mothers to continue breastfeeding their children during working hours.
She said also many women are opting out of jobs because they don’t have anyone who can look after their babies while they are at work.
“SEPI should try to promote this initiative. Maybe start inside one Ministry. If all ministries make this effort, I believe many more women will work whether in the public service or as businesswomen,” said Gender Awardee Guterres in Dili.
Meanwhile the President of the Parliamentary Women’s Group (GMPTL), MP JosefaAlvaresSoares, said this was a good idea and noted in Angola, private and government institutions established crèches to support women returning to work and focusing on their professional careers.
“This is a good idea that will make it easier for mothers to return to work and become better employees. It will depend on the government though, whether it is a priority or not because as a new nation, there are a lot of other priorities,” said MP Soares.
If the initiative is implemented in future, MP Soares said attention needs to be given to this service because crèches are not free and need to be well equipped with facilities and adequately trained staff.
Several civil society organizations in Dili including the Alola Foundation and the Women’s Communication Forum Timor Lorosa’e (FOKUPERS) established crèches at work to facilitate new mothers returning to work and to ensure their babies are breastfed.
