This seminar, coordinated by Laudine Carbuccia (CRIS / LIEPP) and Montserrat Botey (OFCE : Gender Studies Programme / LIEPP) as part of the Family Policies working group, is co-organised by the LIEPP socio-fiscal policies research group and the educational policies research group.

Wednesday, September 17
Sciences Po, Salle d'Innovation
1, place Saint Thomas d'Aquin, 75007 Paris
16h30 - 18h

Abstract 

Work–family challenges present a major barrier to advancing gender equality in labor markets and contribute to the reproduction of social inequalities by undermining child development from the earliest stages of life. Challenging the conventional view that work–family tensions emerge primarily in the later stages of economic development, this systematic review shows that work-family tensions are already deeply entrenched in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Combining holistic and detailed analytical approaches, we propose a comprehensive framework for understanding work–family challenges in LMICs and critically examine the extent to which family policies alleviate—or fail to address—these tensions. We highlight the unique burdens faced by working mothers in LMICs, stemming from widespread poverty and the prevalence of precarious labor for women, and emphasize the need to account for the complexity and diversity of work–family experiences to improve the design and effectiveness of family policies. The review concludes with key policy recommendations and identifies priorities for future research.