Telecom Fiji information system (GIS) Engineer Shweta Sharma has called for more days set aside for family care leave to help women balance work and personal commitments.
At the Pacific Fiber Conference and training in Nadi earlier this month, a question was raised about how women in the tech space balance work and family time.
Ms Sharma said a woman’s support system needs to be very strong.
“I was able to try because my mom was supportive, my partner was supportive,” she said.
“We are fighting our own battles while even doing meetings or while making reports or capturing data.”
Ms Sharma said flexibility was also very important.
“I think we can make things better by having more family care leaves. Probably the Government can take on such initiatives.”
Telstra InfraCo Delivery principal and panellist Michelle Impey echoed similar sentiments on the need for flexibility.
“Telstra is very flexible, and Australia’s moving to a far more flexible working environment now it’s Telstra mantra, it’s not where you work, it’s how you work,” she said.
“So, we do really encourage flexible working.
“We have gender-neutral paid parental leave now as well. So, I think we’re moving in the right steps towards that, but I think it needs to be supported and rolled out.”
Ms Impey said most working mothers need to overcome guilt associated with being away from their family for long periods at a time.
“It’s a challenge but I think we all need to give each other a break and be understanding of that.”