The case for enhanced childcare provision in a post-pandemic Peru

Abstract

In this essay we explore the relationship between childcare and maternal labour market outcomes by reviewing the existing worldwide evidence and reflect on potential ways forward for Peru. The global challenge of balancing work and care has been long-drawn, especially for women and girls, who are disproportionately burdened with care responsibilities. Lack of access to affordable and quality childcare prevents women from fully engaging in the labour market, restricts their occupational choices to those compatible with childcare and limits the long-term effectiveness of women’s empowerment initiatives, such as entrepreneurship and micro-financing programs, often sentencing women to precarious jobs for life. Lack of quality, affordable childcare also hinders elder daughters' accumulation of human capital, since they must often forgo their own educational objectives in order to care for their younger siblings. This has long-term effects on their own labour market outcomes.