A photograph of Thiruvananthapuram Mayor Arya Rajendran reviewing files while carrying her one-month-old baby has sparked an important debate about motherhood, work-life balance, and childcare facilities in India.
At just 24 years old, Arya Rajendran is the youngest mayor in India. She was elected to the position in 2020, at the age of 21.
She is married to Sachin Dev, the youngest MLA in the current Kerala Assembly. The couple recently welcomed their first child, a baby girl, on August 10, 2023.
The image, which went viral on social media, has garnered mixed reactions on the internet.
Some have commended Rajendran as a trailblazing example of a woman who effortlessly manages both her professional and personal responsibilities.
Others have questioned the authenticity of the image, deeming it a mere photo opportunity.
Still many have criticized Rajendran for bringing her baby to work. They argue that it is unprofessional and disruptive.
The debate has also raised critical questions about the need for childcare facilities in workplaces.
Rajendran herself has spoken about the challenges she faced in finding childcare after her daughter was born. She has called for the government to provide more support for working mothers, including day-care centres within government offices.
The photo has also resurfaced a previous government directive discouraging children's presence in government offices.
However, many people have argued that this directive is outdated and discriminatory. They point out that many working mothers have no choice but to bring their children to work if they cannot find childcare.
The debate over Arya Rajendran's photo is also significant because it comes at a time when India is facing a shortage of women in the workforce.
According to a 2022 report by the World Bank, only 20.3% of Indian women participate in the labour force, compared to 79.7% of men.
This is one of the lowest female labour force participation rates in the world.
One of the reasons for this low female labour force participation rate is the lack of childcare facilities in India.
A 2018 study by the National Council of Applied Economic Research found that only 5% of Indian workplaces have crèche facilities.
This makes it difficult for working mothers to balance their work and family responsibilities.
