CHARLOTTE (CBS Charlotte) — The Democratic National Committee is taking flak from women’s groups for the lack of child care that is being provided at the convention.

The Charlotte Observer reports that children will not be allowed access on the floor of the Democratic National Convention and that daycare will not be provided for delegates who bring their kids.

Women’s rights activist Gloria Steinem and several National Organization of Women chapters have called out the DNC for the “discrimination against mothers with young children.”

“Women are the key to a Democratic victory, and sometimes, children are the key to women,” Steinem told The Daily Caller. “It’s both right and smart for the Democratic Convention to behave as if children exist.”

Delegate Susie Shannon feels the DNC is putting her in a tough position because she is bringing her 4-year-old along.

“The Democratic Party shouldn’t put you in a position where you have to choose between your child and participating in a political convention,” she told The Charlotte Observer.

Convention spokeswoman Joanne Peters told The Associated Press there is a list of private child care providers on an official vendor directory and that facilities are being provided for nursing mothers.

Zoe Nicholson, president for the Pacific Shore NOW chapter, is calling for the DNC to end this “outdated practice.”

“We believe this practice of discrimination needs to end in 2012,” Nicholson told The Daily Caller. “This is the year for the Democratic leadership to demonstrate comprehensive support of women, ending this outdated practice and to state publicly that it supports true family values.”

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