INVEST IN CHILDCARE

There is compelling evidence to show how childcare availability could play a key role in enabling more mothers to work, even in low-and- medium income countries. As more mothers join the workforce, overall employment rates increase

- Pavitra Mohan & Ashmita Gulechha

One of the planks on which Zohran Mamdani fought and won the mayoral elections in New York was to guarantee State sponsored childcare for all children of the city. Mamdani’s convincing victory indicates that it is possible to change the agenda and capture the imagination of the electorate, even an American electorate, with bold ideas that work for all and promote holistic development, The immediate question in the context of India is how and why an agenda of grassroots development focused on children can become the hot topic of discussion and rank high on the political agendas of various parties, given that India has a huge challenge in terms of a supportive environment for the health and well-being of children.

Children everywhere need a safe, supportive and nurturing environment. The modern world and its economy have constrained the ability of families to take care of the children, across the socioeconomic strata. Smaller family sizes, need for both parents to work outside home, long work hours, need for people to migrate out for work; have all contributed to the reduced ability of families to take care of their young ones.

However, whereas the richer families can afford private childcare - at home or in institutionschildren in poorer families, continue to grow without childcare, often significantly restricting their growth, development, and emotional potential. Often, in the absence of any caregiver, their safety and health are also compromised.