Reconciling work and family life

Politicians want to get more women back in the job market, but family obligations and the Swiss school system are often obstacles for working mothers. (RTS/swissinfo.ch)

This Swiss public television report features a typical day in the life of a family in French-speaking Switzerland. When there are no child-minding structures around the Swiss school day, parents often have to find their own solutions. Candy Angei relies on neighbours for babysitting before and after school and volunteers at a local lunch canteen set up by a group of mums.

Swiss school days are often shorter than in neighbouring countries and don’t include lunch on the premises. This presents an organisational challenge for many working parents. Urban areas are more likely to have daycare around the school day, such as lunch and afternoon post-school child-minding. In the rural regions, like where Angei lives, coverage is more patchy.