Imagine walking into a job interview and being told that, as a female employee, apart from the existing maternity benefits, you could have your eggs frozen at the company’s expense. Would you assume that it is a woman-friendly space? Would you feel more inclined to work here? Do I hear a resounding “Yes!” Well, there’s good news for you.

Silicon Valley giants Apple and Facebook have come up with ‘controversial’ perks for their female employees. Facebook will foot the bill for its female employees to have their eggs frozen, if they so choose. Apple will begin serving their company’s staff up to $20,000 towards the procedure from January 2015 onwards. This is being offered in addition to the existing maternity benefits.

The move, however, has received flak and support. While one section argues that these companies should try and have a more balanced workspace which allows flexibility to new parents, others have hailed it as a watershed in the modern feminist movement which, interpreted loosely, calls for both men and women having equal rights and opportunities. With respect to the procedure: Some have opposed it on the grounds that there isn’t enough data to prove that freezing eggs will successfully help postpone reproduction, and others worry from an ethical standpoint. And then there are the misogynists.

I believe that any move which pushes equity of access to opportunity is a welcome one. The procedure is an option, and one that endeavours to enhance women’s basket of choices. Such moves will go a long way in advancing women’s rights, empowering them, and addressing the gender skew at the workplace and at leadership levels going forward. It also makes economic sense: According to the IMF, having an equal number of women and men in the labour force could increase economic growth by 5 per cent in the US and as much as 34 per cent in Egypt. It is time other organisations find more ways to empower women. Boss, are you listening?

Reporter/Sub-editor

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