10 July 2024 · Theme 3 Policy Insight
- July 10, 2024
- Posted by: SUSAN KIAMBATI KALANGI
- Category: Theme 3 Policy Insight
Unpaid childcare burdens women in across communities. They spend excessive time on childcare and chores, limiting their ability to work, generate income, and participate in the economy. This hinders their well-being and child development. The pilot crèche program aimed to assess the impact of childcare on women’s livelihoods, labor participation, well-being, and child development. Overall, the pilot program suggests crèches have the potential to empower women. However, addressing existing gaps in usage and comprehensively evaluating program impact is crucial to inform effective policy decisions.
Key Findings:
- Most women rely on subsistence farming and lack diverse income sources.
- Existing childcare options are primarily private or informal.
- Despite low current usage, nearly all women are interested in government crèches.
- High childcare burden correlates with lower labor force participation, particularly in lower agro-ecological zones.
Key Policy Recommendations:
- Invest in Crèches: Secure funding and partnerships to establish crèches as permanent community resources.
- Empower Women: Provide skills development programs to diversify and strengthen their livelihoods.
- Crèche Quality: Develop age-appropriate curriculums, and equip crèches with qualified staff and materials.
- Incentivize Usage: Promote the benefits of crèches for women’s economic advancement.
- Program Expansion: Scale up the crèche program and women’s empowerment initiatives throughout the county.
Read complete Report: Women’s livelihoods pilot survey and creche Rapid Needs Assessment findings
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