THE ROLE OF PARENTAL LEAVE IN RECONCILIATION OF WORK AND FAMILY LIFE BALANCE IN THE LIGHT OF INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS

Low rates of women‟s employment in work life are one of the main social problems for both developed and developing countries. Main reason behind the low inclusion in employment is the family obligations of women. Childcare in particular constitutes a problem for women, which prevents their involvement in work life and the permanence of their employment. Reconciliation of work and family life in the society and resolution of these problems will enable more involvement of women in work life. Changing gender roles in childcare services will increase both women‟s employment and status of women in the society. With this respect, solution tools like parental leave and balancing the roles of the family responsibilities will decrease gender inequality in the society and increase the employment of women.