Absence of nurseries in Iqlim al Touffah an obstacle to women’s advancement

As Safir newspaper published yesterday a report about child nursery services which have become an economic necessity but which have yet to reach Iqlim al Touffah and East Saida despite the boom in investment in the area. Indeed, the report notes that the absence of nurseries in these areas poses a serious obstacle to women’s scientific and professional advancement and also poses a hurdle to women’s daily lives.  The report relays the realities of many women who had to put on hold their personal plans and dreams until their kids grow up.  40 year old Ikram, expresses her sadness for not being able to pursue her Doctoral degree.  After she had her first child, Ikram left teaching as well as studying temporarily in order to take care of her children.  She thinks that if the conditions in the village were better, she would not have had to do so.
The report further adds that presently there are only two nurseries run by MOSA in all of East Saida area.  According to the director of the MOSA centre in Jebaa, Sanaa Bahmad, the absence of nurseries is a problem mostly at the village level where the overall mindset is patriarchal and women are expected to fully care for their children and give up their professional aspirations.  The same report also speaks about a visible paradox namely that most municipalities in the area organize several seminars to raise women’s awareness but failed to address the real obstacles towards women participation. Finally, the report concludes that the main obstacle towards opening nurseries is chiefly financial with uncertain economic returns unlike investment in real estate and tourism projects.
Source: Al-Safir 1 August 2014