It is part of our rural and cultural tradition that women in families bear most of the caring responsibilities in terms of childcare, elder care and caring for those with a disability.

Caring responsibilities often isolate women, particularly those in rural areas who may become excluded from fully participating in social, economic and community-based activities.

Flexible, affordable, accessible quality childcare is very difficult to find in rural areas. Distance from work means rural women’s childcare starts earlier and ends later, up to 2 hours a day more than their urban counterparts.

This can make childcare unaffordable and work/life balance unrealistic. The recent economic downturn has also had an impact on grandmothers, who are increasingly required to shoulder greater childcare responsibilities.