November 10, 2023
Yesterday, Mrs. AGUEH, President of the Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD), took part in a panel of experts on childcare and equality.
Co-organized by the Center for Gobal Development (CGD) and the WORLD Policy Analysis Center, this event presented the recently launched Equality within Our Lifetimes package of data that “systematically analyzes where the world stands, how far we’ve come, and how far we have to go when it comes to adopting laws and policies that are critical to advancing gender equality in the economy for all 193 countries”, covering topics including caregiving, girls’ education, and gender discrimination.
The panel was composed of :
1. AGUEH Dossi Sekonou Gloria, President, Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD)
2. Aletheia Donald, CGD Non-Resident Fellow and Economist, World Bank Africa Gender Innovation Lab
3. Kehinde Ajayi, Senior Fellow and Director, Gender Equality and Inclusion Program, CGD
4. Emmanuel KARAMAGE, Project Coordinator of Bandebereho Program, Rwanda Men’s Resource Center (RWAMREC)
5. Magda Barrera, Director, New Initiatives and Strategic Partnerships, WORLD Policy Analysis Center
6. Aminata Diop Ndoye, Executive Secretary of the National Nutrition Development Council (CNDN) in Senegal
Experts explored the persistent obstacles to gender equality in caregiving and the practical ways that these obstacles can be overcome, from an advocacy, policymaking, and research perspective, with a focus on Francophone Africa.
The recently launched “Equality within Our Lifetimes” package of data offers an overview of the state of economic gender disparities, and methods to advance global gender equality. Read now 👇
Why is gender equality in caregiving important?
Gender equality in caregiving is important for a number of reasons. First, it is essential for women’s economic empowerment. When women are able to share the burden of caregiving with men, they are more likely to be able to participate in the workforce and achieve their full economic potential. Second, gender equality in caregiving is important for children’s well-being. Studies have shown that children benefit from having both mothers and fathers involved in their care. Third, gender equality in caregiving is important for creating a more just and equitable society. When men and women share the burden of caregiving, it helps to break down harmful gender stereotypes and create a more supportive environment for everyone.
What can be done to promote gender equality in caregiving?
There are a number of things that can be done to promote gender equality in caregiving, including:
- Governments can implement policies that support fathers and other male caregivers, such as paid parental leave and access to flexible work arrangements.
- Businesses can create workplace cultures that support working parents and caregivers, such as by offering on-site childcare and flexible work schedules.
- Civil society organizations can work to raise awareness of the importance of gender equality in caregiving and to advocate for policies and programs that support working parents and caregivers.
- Individuals can challenge harmful gender stereotypes about caregiving and can share the burden of caregiving with their partners and other family members.
By working together, we can create a world where everyone has the opportunity to participate fully in society, regardless of their gender or caregiving responsibilities.
