The CEO of a recruitment agency has said it is vital the barriers for women wanting to return to work after having a child are removed.
Tina McKenzie is also the Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses UK Policy and Advocacy.
She told Belfast Live that Northern Ireland's economy and productivity levels could be boosted if investment was made in providing greater access to affordable childcare.
Read more: Cost of living: How to save money on summer childcare in Northern Ireland
"Particularly in Northern Ireland, where we know we're having this cost of living crisis and a lot of women are having to give up on their careers because they can't afford the childcare and they have to make that decision," Tina told Belfast Live.
"It's not right, it really stops us from pursuing equality and keeping that talent in the workforce.
"It's probably going to be a quicker solution for us, due to the lack of an Executive, for the UK government to step in and make some sort of a gesture.
"Maybe through the tax system, like a rebate, or the Treasury to support families and to enable women to come back to work."
Mrs McKenzie said she was conscious that the cost-of-living crisis was only adding to the urdles for those women wanting to resume their career after having a child.
"Even in the summertime I know so many women personally who are cutting down their hours, because their children are off school, the clubs are few and far between, the hours in the clubs are limited and the cost is expensive again," she said.
"It also eats into women's confidence because they can't get back into work, therefore the more years they're out, the further behind they fall and it affects their confidence and becomes a vicious circle."
The Staffline CEO said it was threatening to undo hard-won progress for women in the workplace.
"You're losing out on women across the board," she said.
"It does affect men too, of course it does, but the majority of cases tend to involve woman, there's no getting away from that.
"We spent many years talking about how important it was to get women into work, to get them to the boardroom.
"No matter what we've done around equality and opportunities, if women can't even get back into the workforce, then that's a real problem."
The immediate problem could also become a longer-term issue according to Mrs McKenzie, who said it was important young women were able to see career paths for themselves.
"This (Westminster intervention) is something that would really help with it - it's not about fancy or sophisticated ideas, it's about looking at the problem and saying ok, well what can we do?," she said.
"It's very important for me that my daughter sees me in the world of work and is able to get out there and build a career.
"It's very important for young women to have role models in their mums.
"And many women will choose to be a stay-at-home mum and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that whatsoever, but it must be a choice, women shouldn't be forced into it."
READ NEXT:
- Childcare costs Northern Ireland: How to apply for up to £2,000
- Parents can get up to £2,000 for childcare starting this Easter, says HMRC
- New childcare grant will 'remove significant barrier to employment for parents'
- Children in rural areas suffering as cost of living crisis leaves Co Tyrone parents struggling
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here. To sign up to our FREE newsletters, see here.
