( Politico) A number of local chapters of the National Organization for Women are denouncing the DNC convention rules, saying that they unfairly exclude mothers with young children.

“Women are the key to a Democratic victory, and sometimes, children are the key to women. It’s both right and smart for the Democratic Convention to behave as if children exist,” activist Gloria Steinem said in a release.

The group of southern California chapters of NOW are pointing to the lack of childcare at the conventions, as well as the difficulty female delegates have in bringing children to the convention floor. According to the activists, the DNC is requiring young children to have credentials to come onto the convention floor with their parents.

“Moms with young children 6 years of age and under who cannot be left at home, some of whom are breastfeeding, are relegated to second-class status within the Democratic Convention, unable to participate as a delegate due to antiquated policies and inadequate accommodations that were apparently in place before Women’s suffrage,” Susie Shannon, a delegate to the 2012 DNC Convention.

“The DNC requires children and babies to have a credential to enter the Convention, and then denies these credential requests from moms. The DNC credentialing process is being used as a tool to prevent mothers from participating at the Convention and is nothing short of discriminatory,” said Lindsey Horvath, president of the Hollywood NOW.