WORKING PAPER

The Effects of Childcare on Women and Children: Evidence from a Randomized Evaluation in Burkina Faso

We study whether providing affordable childcare improves women's economic empowerment and child development, using data from a sample of 1,990 women participating in a public works program in Burkina Faso. Out of 36 urban work sites, 18 were randomly selected to receive community-based childcare centers. One in four women offered the centers use them, tripling childcare center usage for children aged 0 to 6. Women's employment and financial outcomes improve. Additionally, child development scores increase. However, we find no significant effects on women's decision-making autonomy, gender attitudes, or intrahousehold dynamics, suggesting the importance of considering multiple dimensions of childcare impacts.

CITATION

Ajayi, Kehinde, Aziz Dao, and Estelle Koussoubé. 2022. The Effects of Childcare on Women and Children: Evidence from a Randomized Evaluation in Burkina Faso. Center for Global Development.

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