The birth of a child marks a turning point in the personal and professional lives of parents, but men and women experience this transition differently in the workplace. Maternity and paternity leave legislation, although 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 guaranteed working days by law, which increases the challenge of gender equality in returning to work. Data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) still show that in 2021, the female participation rate in the workforce was 51.6%, well below the 71.6% of men. This gap worsens after motherhood, with an increase of up to 50% in the participation gap between women and men with children compared to those without children.
According toBia Nobrega, specialist in Human and Organizational Development, over the past 30 years, the job market has made significant advances, but women still face barriers of all kinds after having children. Maternity continues to be one of the greatest challenges in women's professional careers. The consequences are especially evident during the first five years of the child's life, a period in which dedication to childcare is most intensive, she says.
Reduced working hours, flexible schedules, expanded leaves, free and paid time off to handle issues such as medical appointments and school adaptation, among other topics, are still quite embryonic discussions in the country. Furthermore, when these topics are discussed, the focus is on making them women's rights, when they should be extended to any caregiver, precisely to lessen the burden on women when it comes to managing their careers and children, she explains.
In this context, these professionals still face the difficult task of balancing their professional lives with domestic responsibilities in general—viewed as women's responsibilities—and the effects of this imbalance are amplified by the lack of adequate support policies, such as the availability of daycare centers and full-time schools. It is also important to highlight that single mothers are the second largest family structure in Brazil, which brings even more responsibilities and challenges to them.
An unequal labor market
In addition to issues of participation in the labor market, there is also a considerable disparity in terms of salaries. Studies show that in 2021, mothers earned about 22.8% less than fathers in similar roles. This reflects both a devaluation of women's work and the cultural pressure that positions women as the primary caregivers.
To promote a more inclusive and equitable corporate environment, experts suggest that companies adopt measures such as flexible work hours, expanded paternity leave, and the 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," advocates the specialist.
The challenges faced by women after the birth of a child are largely a reflection of ingrained 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 daycares and awareness that investing in early childhood support is also caring for a healthier future community, with access to better education and employment conditions, are fundamental steps for the development of a society that values and supports diversity.
