The Asian Development Bank and IDRC partner to inform investments in childcare in Vanuatu

In collaboration with the Government of Vanuatu, the partnership aims to strengthen policies, build institutional capacity and promote inclusive childcare models that enhance child wellbeing and support families, particularly in the capital city of Port Vila.  

The research will analyze the design of childcare centres, policies and regulations in Vanuatu, assessing, for example, existing childcare models, supply and demand and willingness to pay. The work will result in recommendations for an inclusive childcare service system and guidelines on the operationalization of childcare services, ensuring adherence to good practice and child safeguarding principles. 

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is a leading multilateral development bank supporting inclusive, resilient and sustainable growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure and safeguard our planet.  

As part of its commitment to gender equality, IDRC invests in a number of initiatives to reduce, redistribute, recognize and reward care work, with an emphasis on locally grounded innovations, the active engagement of women and their organizations, and evidence-based policy.  

As the new care policies emerging from this partnership increase the participation of women and girls in the economic, educational, political and leisure activities of their choice, they will contribute to building a fairer and more prosperous world.