Lifetime Economic Impacts of Maternity

In the Czech Republic motherhood has significant negative impacts on women’s position in the labour market and society. We have decided to contribute to their reduction and initiate change.
We have carried out economic and sociological analyses of the lifelong impacts of motherhood. Their results were then connected with the know-how of men and women experts from the Czech Republic and Norway. Subsequently, the information was spread among the general public (interactive workshops), employers (round tables), professionals, and people in decision-making positions (round tables and conferences). Our gender experts have advocated changes in policies in advisory committees (Expert Committee for Family Policy); in relevant bodies and institutions; and also through lobbying activities (we are a member of the Government Council for Equal Opportunities for Women and Men and the Committee for Balancing Work, Private and Family Life). A significant positive factor was the current interest of politicians in key ministries.
We have contributed to the deepening of knowledge in the area of the economic and sociological effects of motherhood, which will be followed up by workers of academic institutions and possibly used by persons in decision-making positions (evidence based policy).