Amanda Daycare in Supporting the Care Economy

The care economy encompasses all types of care work, including paid and unpaid, formal and informal, and it touches every life stage. From early childhood education to elderly care, mental health support, and domestic tasks, care work sustains human well-being, dignity, and opportunity. Despite its vital importance, care work is often overlooked, underfunded, and inadequately supported. Care work is multifaceted and includes several professions, such as early childhood educators, healthcare providers, social workers, and domestic workers. While unpaid care work is even more widespread, it remains unequally distributed, often falling disproportionately on women due to entrenched gender roles and societal expectations.

The 2017 ILO-Gallup report surveyed nearly 149,000 people across 142 countries and underscored the need for accessible and affordable childcare services. The data revealed that the majority of women preferred paid employment, either full-time or part-time while balancing household responsibilities. Interestingly, 66% of men shared this preference for the women in their families. However, the report also identified significant regional disparities. In Northern, Southern, and Western Europe, nearly 90% of individuals support women’s participation in the workforce. In contrast, men in Northern Africa and the Arab States, particularly young men, are more inclined to believe that women should stay home. This surprising generational divide suggests evolving yet persistent cultural norms.

Furthermore, despite the widespread desire for paid employment, women’s participation in the labor force remains limited, primarily due to unpaid caregiving responsibilities. This is especially striking given that many women outside the workforce, particularly those aged 15–29, expressed a strong desire to work. These findings point to a significant "care gap" — a mismatch between aspiration and opportunity.

Care-related challenges are among the most significant barriers to women’s employment. According to the ILO-Gallup report, the top challenge cited by respondents worldwide was balancing work and family, followed closely by the lack of affordable care services. Together, these issues account for 34% of the challenges women face in paid employment. Other reported difficulties include unequal pay, inflexible hours, and unfair treatment, especially in developing economies.

Women with children under 15 were more likely to cite the lack of affordable childcare as a major hurdle, which reinforces the need for services like Amanda Daycare. For many mothers, access to reliable childcare can be a deciding factor in whether they join or remain in the workforce.

Education also plays a role in shaping perceptions of care challenges. University-educated women are more likely to identify work–family balance as their top concern, whereas women with a primary education emphasize affordability. The persistent belief that "children suffer when mothers work" continues to influence attitudes and policies regarding maternal employment. The World Values Survey (2010–14) found that 50% of men and 45% of women globally agreed with this statement. However, this trend is moving in a positive direction. In the early 1990s, 70% of respondents agreed with this statement; two decades later, that figure had dropped to 42%.

The Role of Institutions in Reimagining Care

Regional variations in beliefs about maternal employment reveal the critical role public policy and institutional support play in shaping societal norms. In Europe and Central Asia,

where childcare services are well-developed and institutionalized, fewer people believe that children are harmed by their mothers' employment. Conversely, in regions where care services are scarce, expensive, or of poor quality, skepticism about maternal employment remains higher.

Beyond its immediate community, Amanda Daycare's participation in the ILO's broader care economy initiative places it within a global movement striving for systemic change. Amanda Daycare follows the provision of an environment in which children are nurtured, educated, and cared for offers parents, especially mothers, reassurance that the pursuit of paid work does not come at the cost of their children's well-being.

Recognizing and investing in the care economy is a moral and strategic imperative. Societies that prioritize care infrastructure, such as affordable childcare, elder care, and health services, are better positioned to promote gender equality, reduce poverty, and stimulate inclusive economic growth. Investing in caregiving facilities can alleviate the disproportionate caregiving burden shouldered by women, unlocking human potential and creating a more equitable foundation for all. Closing the care gap is essential not only for women’s economic participation but also for building resilient communities and future-ready economies.