14 June 2024

Any party that wants to win needs to put the issues that women care about at the heart of their platform. Fawcett has three key focus areas in the lead up to this election, chosen because these represent the issues where government can make the biggest impact on women's lives. The first is reforming childcare. 

---

1. Reforming childcare 

A lack of affordable early childhood education and care (ECEC) drives the motherhood penalty in earnings, which is now the most significant cause of the gender pay gap. 84% of women in red wall constituencies say that taking action on the gender pay gap is important to them in deciding which party to vote for in a general election.

The ECEC workforce, one made up of mostly women, is chronically undervalued, underpaid and under-resourced.

There is no policy platform promising to address the needs and experiences of women that does not reform childcare.

---

Fawcett's key calls:

• Substantial investment and wholesale reform of the current system to address affordability and accessibility
• A comprehensive workplace strategy that includes investment in fair pay and training
• Prioritise quality education for children at the most critical point in their development
• Challenge stereotypes in early childhood education and care

Fawcett's policy submissions:

• Submission to Labour Policy Forum: A Future Where Families Come First Commission
• Submission to Labour Policy Forum: Safe and Secure Communities Commission 
• Fawcett submission to the Liberal Democrats

More from Fawcett on reforming childcare:

• Read Transforming Early Childhood Education and Care: Sharing International Learning, Part 2
• Read Transforming Early Childhood Education and Care: Sharing International Learning, Part 1
• Read Fawcett response to the 2023 Spring Budget 
• Read Childcare and Early Education Systems: A Comparative Review of Liberal Welfare States

---

We want to hear from you.

What's important to you at the next election? Let us know by:

• Becoming a member of Fawcett and joining our movement for a more equal world 
• Following us @fawcettsociety on all social media 
• Writing to us via [email protected] 

See you at the ballot box!