The Unseen Struggle of Working Mothers: A Call for Real Change in Development Organizations
- By Rezaul Islam
- Nov 14, 2024
Experiencing the daily struggles of women, especially those who balance the demands of work, marriage, and motherhood, is not something everyone can truly understand. Life is a continuous battle on multiple fronts for many married mothers who are also working professionals. At home, they juggle family responsibilities, while in public spaces, they navigate social expectations and often unsafe environments. Even the workplace, ideally a space of support and opportunity, can fall short, offering little comfort or understanding of their unique challenges. And yet, these women persevere—managing stress, enduring challenges, and pushing forward with remarkable resilience.
Having spent years working within development organizations, I’ve been deeply disappointed by the discrepancy between the values these organizations promote publicly and the reality faced by their female employees. Many organizations advocate passionately for child protection and gender equity on their web pages, case study reports, and at conferences, painting a picture of empathy and progressiveness. However, the lived experience of women workers within these same organizations often tells a different story. Despite public commitments to gender equity and child protection, the workplace environment rarely reflects these ideals.
Throughout my career, I have managed women workers both domestically and internationally, and I’ve witnessed their struggles firsthand. I’ve seen how they balance intense demands, often with minimal support. Many of these challenges are well-known and could be mitigated, yet most organizations show little interest in addressing them. This lack of initiative is frustrating because, with small changes, organizations could create a genuinely supportive environment. Simple measures, like ensuring a safe workplace and offering child-friendly policies, would make a substantial difference in the lives of working mothers.
It doesn’t take grand gestures or extensive resources to help women succeed in their careers while fulfilling family responsibilities. South Asian women, in particular, have a unique resilience and strength, but they need a foundation of respect and safety in their work environment. By providing this support, development organizations would empower these women to contribute fully and move forward with confidence.