Scaling up an inclusive childcare policy framework for the informal sector in Benin (ICFIS)

 

In Benin's bustling informal sector, women grapple with the dual responsibility of work and childcare, often lacking access to quality affordable childcare services. This project seeks to address the policy gap in catering to the childcare needs of these women by developing an inclusive childcare framework for the informal sector (ICFIS). The ICFIS approach encompasses incentivizing non-state actors through financial motivations and capacity building; introducing flexible childcare models like mobile daycare units and shared responsibility centres; and offering subsidized access and outreach to women in the informal sector.

The project will support development of this policy framework, evaluate its efficiency, and foster a coalition for its advocacy and knowledge translation. Methodologically, it employs a mix of operational framework analysis, quantitative and qualitative assessments, adaptability assessments, and synthesis for recommendations and policy engagement. The project is rooted in principles of gender, equity, inclusion and intersectionality, ensuring that the interventions are sensitive to the diverse needs of different categories of women and girls in the informal sector. Expected outputs include a comprehensive policy framework, evidence-based research reports, and a multi-stakeholder engagement platform, all aiming to transform the childcare landscape for women in Benin's informal sector.

This project is supported under the Scaling Care Innovations in Africa partnership co-funded by Global Affairs Canada and IDRC. Scaling Care Innovations is a five-year partnership aimed at scaling tested and locally grounded policy and program innovations to redress gender inequalities in unpaid care work in Sub-Saharan Africa.