Examining the tensions between the mothers’ right to work and the children’s right to care with specific reference to Lubaga Division.

Abstract

The study examined tensions between mothers’ right to work and the children’s right to care which are seen to be conflicting rights. The research was carried out in Lubaga division where mothers working in formal sectors were interviewed and gave their experience and how they handle both rights. Key informants from Raising Voices an organization that promotes both children and women rights were also interviewed and these talked in regard to the children’s right to care considering that children below five years are vulnerable and not in position to speak. The objectives of the research were to find out how mothers are handling both roles, working and taking care of their children, to determine the effects of the mothers’ right to work on children’s right to care and to find out if mothers are aware of policies at their places of work that enable them enjoy their right to work. Many mothers interviewed were aware of both rights, their right to work and the children’s right to care. Majority looked at care in terms of provisions of basic necessities like food, shelter, medical treatment and others. Just a few of them brought out the element of love, intimacy and being physically around in their toddlers lives as a need that many children are lacking because the mothers are working. Mothers expressed the challenges they face as they balance both rights which include lack of support from husbands where some of them don’t appreciate the need of their wives working, helpers commonly known as maids who always have a negative attitude towards house work and sometimes no love for children. Some places of work don’t appreciate the fact that some of these women have young children who need ample time with their mothers; the policies are put but not implemented which has led to tension between the two rights. Mothers are recommended to have priority; they should balance work and showing motherly love to their children. They need to understand that both rights are important and find means of having consensus to enable enjoyment of both rights. All people in the circles have a role to play that is the families and the employers. Fathers in the family need to take children as a collective responsibility and employers need to understand that a woman has other responsibilities aside official duties.