Closing Childcare Policy Gaps offers high return on investment: International Labour Organization (ILO)
Childcare Policy Gap (CPG) refers to the period between the end of statutory childcare-related leave and starting age for free, universal early childhood care and education or primary education.
It affects 90%of actual and potential parents worldwide.
Average CPG is approximately 4.2 years globally.
- Maternity, paternity and combined parental leave available to household’s average 6.1 months globally.
- Average starting age for free and universal early childhood care and education is 4.7 years.
Benefits of closing CPG:
- 1 dollar invested in closing the CPG would give 3.76 times return in global GDP by 2035.
- Reductions in gender and other inequalities and generation of decent jobs
♦ 84% of such new employment would go to women, as they exchange unpaid care work for paid and formal employment. - Improvements in health and wellbeing
Investment needed to close CPG: 1.5% of global GDP, in addition to current public spending of 0.3% of global GDP is needed for providing universal, high-quality, childcare services.
Recommendations:
- Invest in care economy.
- Better sharing of care responsibilities between men and women.
- Designing rights-based programmes.
About International Labour Organisation (ILO)
Genesis:Geneva, Switzerland, Established in 1919.
About: Only tripartite U.N. agency that brings together governments, employers and workers of member countries together.
Objectives: Promote standards and fundamental principles and rights at work, create greater opportunities for income and enhance coverage and effectiveness of social protection for all.
Functions: To set labour standards, develop policies and devise programmes promoting decent work for all women and men.
Members:187 Member States .
Other
♦ Its ‘Decent Work agenda’ helps advance the economic and working conditions.
♦ Report: World Employment and Social Outlook; Social Dialogue Report
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