Women Empowered Global’s short film sheds light on Mom Penalty

Women Empowered Global Founder and CEO Senela Jayasuriya

Women Empowered Global Personal Growth Officer Ruchi Sharma

Highlighting one of the most gruelling issues faced by women during the global COVID-19 pandemic, Women Empowered Global launched a short film on the ‘Mom Penalty’ on International Women’s Day that fell on 8 March. 

The ‘Mom Penalty’ is a touching, nearly three-minute film that depicts just how challenging the past year has been for women.

Undoubtedly the months of pandemic lockdown have been harsh on all of us. But it has been especially brutal for working moms. They have had to juggle endless workplace demands alongside managing an unequal load of housework, childcare and remote schooling. As a result, four times more women than men dropped out of the workforce. 

To highlight this concern, Women Empowered Global launched this film on International Women’s Day around the world, to address the elephant in the room – the Mom Penalty. 

“I am so excited to announce this beautiful, meaningful and powerful short film to commemorate International Women’s Day, to celebrate, recognise and appreciate all women around the world. This beautiful production was conceptualised by my dear friend and Personal Growth Officer at Women Empowered Global Ruchi Sharma, as it takes us on a deep reflective and relatable journey of a working mother,” commented Women Empowered Global Founder and CEO Senela Jayasuriya. 

“There have been many times in my own path as a working mom and woman where I faced so many struggles and personal challenges that tried to stop me from reaching my goal. Some of the toughest personal challenges for me have been the battles inside my own mind. There have been many days I questioned myself, my abilities and my worth. But I learnt to channel that energy into new growth opportunities, and struggles into more courage and momentum. 

“This is my truth and I want to encourage and inspire as many women as I possibly can in my lifetime, with my truth and vision, that you have the power inside you, you are already strong, and sometimes we just need to remind ourselves and each other of our own power and our strength. And remember – together, we are stronger,” Senela continued. 

The short film can be viewed on Women Empowered Global’s Facebook and Instagram page @WomenEmpGlobal or on its YouTube page WOMEN EMPOWERED GLOBAL. 

“As a working mom myself, this subject is very dear to my heart.  From having to give up a high-profile overseas job to starting on my own from scratch, juggling demanding deadlines, working longer hours, navigating the world of remote learning with a young kid, endless housework and the anxiety of ageing parent” said Ruchi Sharma, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of HumanSense, the creative agency behind this humane work. 

Video Credits: 

Creative Agency: HumanSense, Sri Lanka

Writer & Creative Director: Ruchi Sharma

Production team: X10 Productions, Sri Lanka

Executive Producer: Prasanna Kithalagama

Editor: Arngelo Pereira

Producer: Muveendra Premaratne

Audio Mix: Kasun Wickramasinghe

Project Manager: Amaashie Mahahewage

Visual Footage: www.pexels.com & www.mixkit.co

Music Track: CinematicAudioGroup