Women Politicians Battle Dual Roles: Juggling Politics and Caregiving in a Tough Landscape

Women in politics are increasingly vocal about the significant challenges they face while managing their professional responsibilities alongside family life and caring duties. In the often male-dominated sphere of politics, female representatives are not only striving to make their voices heard but are also navigating the complexities of balancing demanding roles with personal obligations. In a recent discussion on BBC Radio Cumbria, Julie Minns, the MP for Carlisle, and Lizzi Collinge, who represents Morecambe and Lunesdale, shared their experiences and insights on how their roles as politicians intersect with their responsibilities at home. The geographical realities of their constituencies, located among the furthest from London, add another layer of complexity to their already busy lives. Mrs. Collinge described the emotional toll of travel and the physical distance from her family. "Travelling and being away from your family can be quite difficult for the kids," she said. While she has found ways to compartmentalize her parliamentary duties, she admits that the pangs of homesickness occasionally disrupt her focus. She emphasizes the importance of diversity within Parliament, asserting that a representative body needs a variety of voices to adequately address the needs of all constituents. "If you only have one sort of person in Parliament then you don't get the action that's needed for everyone in the country," she remarked. For Ms. Minns, the challenges of her dual roles are compounded by her responsibilities as an unpaid carer for her elderly mother and aunt. Since her election in July, she described feeling as though she "hasn't caught her breath." The balancing act of managing her time between Westminster commitments and her constituency, along with the irregular hours of the job, leaves her with little time to fulfill the myriad of tasks required in caring for her family. "It's always a juggle," she noted. The societal expectations surrounding caregiving responsibilities often place an additional burden on women like Ms. Minns. "There is still a slight societal or generational expectation that women are the primary carers," she explained, pointing to the evidence suggesting that this is particularly true when it comes to childcare and household responsibilities. This expectation highlights a significant barrier to achieving gender equality in not just politics but in many areas of professional life. The voices of Minns and Collinge underscore the need for structural changes within the political arena to support women, particularly those with caregiving responsibilities, in their pursuit of public office. Their experiences reflect a broader dialogue regarding the necessity of accommodating diverse lifestyles and responsibilities to create a more inclusive political landscape. As discussions around gender equality and representation continue to evolve, the stories of these women serve as a critical reminder of the need for policies and practices that recognize and alleviate the unique challenges faced by female politicians. In doing so, they pave the way for a more representative and equitable political sphere that not only values diversity but actively supports it.