Aichi Prefecture conducted a survey on corporate management and women’s participation in the workforce, targeting local companies. The findings revealed a mixed picture: over 40% of companies reported having a significant number of employees continuing their careers after childbirth, while more than 10% indicated they had no such employees working as full-time staff. As a response to these findings, the prefecture plans to incorporate supportive measures into its gender equality strategy for the current fiscal year.
The survey, conducted last August and September via the internet and mail, reached 12,000 companies, with 2,819 responding—a response rate of 23.4%. Among the responders, 43.3% noted a substantial number of employees remain employed post-childbirth. However, 12.9% stated they had none. Companies with higher retention credited support systems like peer counseling and role models (73.8%), as well as policies exceeding legal requirements that promote utilization (71.6%).
Additionally, 41.8% of companies reported implementing specific measures like promoting women to managerial positions. Of these, 43.9% observed increased motivation among female employees. Conversely, some noted issues, including a lack of interest from women in managerial roles, limited hiring of women resulting in insufficient talent, and restrictive job roles available to women.
by MagazineKey4532