Published on: 2026-10-22
Source: United Nations – Объединенные Нации –
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October 22, 2026 Culture and Education
The uneven distribution of child care responsibilities harms not only mothers but also children and fathers. This is stated in an analytical note published on Thursday by the “UN Women” entity and the World Bank Group.
In many countries around the world, family leave policies still provide significantly longer paid leave for mothers than for fathers. This contributes to an uneven distribution of responsibilities and deprives families, children, and the economy of important benefits.
According to data from 190 economies worldwide, when it comes to paid maternity leave, almost one-third of countries and territories do not meet the International Labour Organization’s standard, which provides for at least 14 weeks of leave. In six countries, mothers are not guaranteed paid leave at all.
At the same time, 66 economies do not have guaranteed paid leave for fathers, whereas only six countries lack such leave for mothers. Out of 124 economies where paid leave for fathers is provided, in half of them the duration is less than two weeks. On average, mothers receive paid leave that is eight times longer than that of fathers.
Active involvement of fathers
Recent studies show that men are increasingly striving to take a more active role in childcare. In the study, 87 percent of fathers reported a lack of necessary support, and 83 percent stated that their employers do not offer flexible working conditions. More than 64 percent are willing to support tax increases to expand public childcare services.
“Care and nurturing are the foundation of the well-being of families, communities, and economies; however, women still bear a disproportionately large share of this burden,” stated Nyadzai Gumbonzvanda, Deputy Executive Director of UN Women. “Achieving gender equality and ensuring the fulfillment of rights and empowerment of women and girls can only be done by changing the approach to how caregiving work is valued and distributed.”
Unequal distribution of childcare responsibilities affects family life long after parents return to work. Studies show that fathers who take parental leave subsequently take on a larger share of child-rearing and household duties. This reduces the burden on women, who on average spend 2.5 times more time on unpaid care work than men.
The use of parental leave by fathers also contributes to mothers having more opportunities for paid employment and earnings. Studies show a connection between the availability of leave for fathers and higher incomes for women, as well as a higher level of their employment in the private sector.
Children also benefit from fathers’ participation. The results of one analytical review link more active and sensitive involvement of fathers in upbringing with better cognitive abilities of children, speech development, emotional self-regulation, and behavior.
Helping elderly relatives
Research shows that many parents raising children also care for elderly relatives, friends, or other community members simultaneously. About one in four parents provides care for both children and elderly people at the same time, often with virtually no support. This highlights the need to create care systems capable of meeting the diverse needs of people throughout their lives.
On the eve of International Care and Support Day, celebrated on October 29, the UN Women entity and the World Bank Group call for the creation of care systems that counter discriminatory gender norms, recognize men and boys as caregivers, and promote the equal sharing of responsibilities between women and men.
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