Mothers with babies are being turned away from prefectural and municipal assemblies, according to a recent report from Kyodo News. About 40 percent of assemblies prohibit mothers with babies or toddlers from attending.
That rule should be changed to allow greater access to politics for women. In a democracy, attending political deliberations and assembly meetings should be a right, not a privilege.
Of course, children cry, make noises and disrupt any adult activity they can. Mothers, at least, are used to such disruptions, but much of life goes on even with children in the room.