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Local Chapter project

Advocating for Maternal and Fetal Health in the Workplace

Machine Learning
Start date
August 31, 2024
Finish date
August 6, 2024
Project status
completed
Advocating for Maternal and Fetal Health in the Workplace

CIPHR Connect, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Challenge background

Maternal and fetal health is a critical aspect of women's well-being, yet many women face challenges in the workplace related to maternity leave and accommodations. Understanding laws and regulations, communicating needs to employers, and accessing reliable health information can be overwhelming. This project aims to bridge the gap by offering a centralized platform for support and advocacy.

The problem

Women often struggle with:

  • Navigating maternity leave laws and regulations.
  • Communicating effectively with employers about their needs.
  • Requesting necessary accommodations during pregnancy and post-partum.
  • Finding accurate and comprehensive guidance on maternal and fetal health.
  • Feeling supported before, during, and immediately after maternity leave.

Goal of the project

  • Create a platform that aggregates information on maternity leave laws and regulations.
  • Develop resources and templates for women to communicate with their employers.
  • Provide guidance on requesting and negotiating accommodations.
  • Offer health and wellness resources specific to maternal and fetal health.
  • Build a support network for women before, during, and after maternity leave.

Project timeline

  1. 1

    Week 1

    Week 1: Research and Data Collection

    • Gather information on maternity leave laws and regulations.
    • Collect data on common workplace accommodations for pregnant women.
  2. 2

    Week 2

    Week 2: Platform Design and Planning

    • Design the user interface and experience for the platform.
    • Plan the content structure and resource organization.
  3. 3

    Week 3

    Week 3: Content Creation

    • Develop guides, templates, and resources for communication with employers.
    • Create informational content on maternal and fetal health.
  4. 4

    Week 4

    Week 4: Platform Development

    • Build the backend and frontend of the platform.
    • Integrate a database for storing resources and user data.
  5. 5

    Week 5

    Week 5: Testing and Feedback

    • Conduct usability testing with a focus group of expectant and new mothers.
    • Gather feedback and make necessary adjustments.
  6. 6

    Week 6

    Week 6: Finalization and Launch

    • Finalize platform content and design.
    • Launch the platform and promote it to target users.
  7. 7

    Week 7

    Week 7: Post-Launch Support

    • Monitor platform usage and gather user feedback.
    • Provide ongoing support and updates based on user needs
  8. 8

    Week 8

    Week 8: Community Building

    • Develop and implement strategies for building a supportive user community.
    • Facilitate discussions and provide additional resources as needed.

What you'll learn

  • Understanding of maternity leave laws and regulations.
  • Effective communication strategies with employers.
  • Knowledge of necessary accommodations and how to request them.
  • Awareness of maternal and fetal health best practices.
  • Development of a supportive community for new and expectant mothers.

Get involved

What to expect from a Local Chapter project

First project

  • Welcomes beginners and experienced practitioners.
  • Focuses on education and collaborative delivery.
  • Produces open-source project work.

Benefits

  • Address a significant real-world problem with your skills.
  • Build your project portfolio.
  • Demonstrate your work to organizations and project partners.

Requirements

  • Working English communication.
  • A learning mindset.
  • Commitment to collaborative project work.