Maternal Wall or Stairs: Motherhood Journey in Leadership

Have you had to ask yourself if you could have children? It is a dilemma for many women leaders, as motherhood could derail their careers. The maternal wall and its set of discriminations include perception of working mothers as less competent and less dedicated. Therefore, the motherhood penalty translates into wage inequality, career stalling & regression and mental health. The feeling of guilt is felt by all working mothers, pressured to comply with societal norms. Traditions are still very strong in many Asian countries, where the patriarchal structure has for centuries restricted women to the role of child carer in the household. At the same time, women struggle to reconcile their newfound identity of motherhood with their professional identity. So, can women leaders have it all? We’ll dive into personal stories of how some women leaders in Asia have navigated this part of their journey. Instead of being a barrier, motherhood became a strength that enabled them to become better leaders. From these learnings, a roadmap with four pillars (H.O.P.E.) is proposed to help leaders reconcile parenthood with career, elevating both.