Working mothers say ‘dysfunctional’ paternity leave is pushing them out of their careers (Picture: PA)
Protesters have descended on Trafalgar Square in London to call for Government reform the ‘unaffordable’ childcare sector.
The demonstration, led by Pregnant Then Screwed, brought mums together for a ‘united call to arms’ to demand change.
Families, including young children, donned bandages, vampire costumes and witches’ hats as they took part in the March of the Mummies.
Thousands stood outside Downing Street shouting, ‘Dear Rishi Sunak, we want out choices back’, as they protested against unaffordable parental leave structures.
Banners include slogans such as: ‘My skills got me hired! My wok got me fired!’
Crowds gathered on Parliament Square sang motivational hits including Katy Perry’s Roar as they demanded reforms to the childcare sector and parental leave.
Labour MP Stella Creasy joined singers from choir MumSing who performed on a float outside the Houses of Parliament adorned with pink banners.
Crowds took to Trafalgar Square in central London whilst dressed as fictional ‘Mummies’ (Picture: Alamy Live News.)
Demonstrators take part in the March of the Mummies national protest in central London over ‘unaffordable’ childcare (Picture: PA)
Men’s parental leave rights were also a point of protest, with a sign reading ‘He shall conceive but have no parental leave’ (Picture: PA)
Mothers carrying babies and young children danced and sang while others stood further back holding banners reading ‘The future won’t raise itself’ and ‘Pregnant then screwed’.
Thousands of people are expected to take part in similar marches across the UK, including in Glasgow, Birmingham, Manchester and Norwich.
One mum previously told Metro.co.uk: ‘Our childcare system is on its knees, but it remains the second most expensive in the world. We want it to be properly funded by the government.
‘If this sounds like a fairytale, it really isn’t.’
Joeli Brearley, founder and CEO of Pregnant Then Screwed, previously said: ‘Mothers from all over the UK have come together because enough is enough.
‘We want urgent progress on women’s rights. It’s the 21st Century, yet 54,000 mothers are being pushed out of the workforce every year for simply daring to procreate.
The protest is organised by Pregnant Then Screwed, which is demanding change for organised childcare (Picture: PA)
Thousands of people are expected to take part in similar marches across the UK, including in Glasgow, Manchester and Norwich (Picture: PA)
Protestors were seen dressed in scary costumes in the march (Picture: PA)
‘We have the second most expensive childcare in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the third worst ranking maternity benefit and the worst ranking paternity benefit in Europe. Data from the ONS shows that women of childbearing age are dropping like flies from the workforce.
‘The childcare sector is in a mess; thousands of nurseries have collapsed this year alone.
‘We have had enough.’
A recent survey by the group revealed that 31% of new parents will not be able to afford to have any more children, and 48% of pregnant mothers will have to cut their maternity leave short due to financial hardship.
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Demonstrators dressed in Halloween outfits including witches’ hats and skeleton costumes banged drums at the front of the procession.