Father Involvement: A Catalyst for Transforming Gender Equity and Early Childhood Development in the Next 1000 Days
Father or male caregiver involvement is good for children and families. Caring father-child relationships in the early years are essential for children’s development and wellbeing. The recent launch of the two-part Lancet series, Early Childhood Development And The Next 1000 Days reveals that about 70% of children co-reside with their fathers. Despite the significant role that fathers play in children’s lives, parenting interventions still largely focus on mothers, particularly as it relates to the next 1000 days.
Leveraging International Day of Play to Boost Joyful Interactions Between Young Mothers and Children
Women face persistent inequities globally and during times of insecurity and crisis, young mothers (under the age of 18) are especially vulnerable. Lack of knowledge and ability to exercise rights guaranteed through policies and laws heightened by economic conditions, forced displacement, and natural disasters lead to reduced access to and control over resources that support young mothers. Added stressors due to environmental influences, physical and mental shifts particularly during the transition to adolescent motherhood impacts the quality of mother-child relationships.