On April 28, 2022, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will join the White House Gender Policy Council and National Security Council in hosting Incentivizing Investments in Global Child Care Infrastructure as follow up to President Biden’s values-driven global infrastructure initiative announced at the Carbis Bay G7 Summit last year. USAID and other philanthropic actors will announce a planned substantial commitment to the World Bank’s Childcare Incentive Fund.
First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, USAID Administrator Samantha Power, Melinda French Gates, White House Gender Policy Council Director Jennifer Klein, and the World Bank’s Mari Elka Pangestu will join government leaders, industry experts, and child care workers to discuss the importance of developing high-quality care infrastructure worldwide to boost child development, women’s labor force participation, and economic growth.
The Biden-Harris Administration is joining with partners to support care infrastructure given its potential to improve child development and health, women’s employment, business productivity, and overall economic growth. Investment in care infrastructure is especially important in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused disruptions to education and care systems and exacerbated care needs around the world, which disproportionately fall on women—particularly those who are marginalized on the basis of race, ethnicity, caste, religion, or other factors. The lack of affordable and accessible child care options also leaves many children, particularly those who are already in vulnerable situations, in unsafe and unstimulating environments.
Through the U.S. government’s Advancing Protection and Care for Children in Adversity Strategy, USAID is committed to a world in which all children thrive within protective and loving families, free from deprivation, violence, and danger. Expanding access to quality child care and strengthening the capacities of children and their families are among the best investments a country can make to improve women’s employment, economic security, and enhance child development and opportunities for early learning.
WHAT: Incentivizing Investments in Global Child Care Infrastructure
WHEN: Thursday, April 28, 2022, 12:00 PM EDT
SPEAKERS:
Opening Remarks:
First Lady Dr. Jill Biden
Multilateral Partner:
Mari Elka Pangestu, Managing Director of Development Policy and Partnerships
World Bank
Event Co-Host:
USAID Administrator Samantha Power
Philanthropic Actors Supporting the Fund:
Melinda French Gates, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Child Care Experts:
Joan Lombardi
Sabrina Habib
Mirai Chaterjee
Event Moderator:
Jennifer Klein, White House Gender Policy Council
WHERE: This event will be Virtual. Register for the event here.