Empowering Women, Supporting Children. Early Childhood Development Centers as a Strategy to Reduce Unpaid Care Work and Promote Women’s Economic Empowerment in Nyanza, Rwanda.

Abstract: This thesis examines the effects of early childhood development centers (ECDC) on unpaid care work (UCW) and women's economic empowerment in Rwanda. Thanks to the collaboration of ActionAid Rwanda (AAR), data from a sample of women in Nyanza district was collected and analyzed to gain insights into UCW dynamics and the role of ECDCs in women's lives. The findings indicate that ECDCs have significantly reduced the time devoted to UCW for most women, allowing more time for other activities. ECDCs are found to positively influence women's economic empowerment, as participants reported improvements in their economic situations. Nevertheless, challenges related to ECDC quality and accessibility were identified. This highlights the necessity of policy interventions and investments in high-quality, accessible ECDC facilities. Enhancing availability, infrastructure, equipment, clean water access, and extended opening hours are crucial to maximizing the benefits for women. The study contributes to existing literature on gender, UCW, and women's economic empowerment and childcare facilities. Limitations include the study's specific timeframe and geographical context, potential participant misinterpretation, and the influence of internal factors. Despite limitations, this study emphasizes the importance of addressing UCW and investing in ECDCs to achieve gender equality and women's empowerment. By creating an inclusive environment and promoting gender equity, Rwanda can enable women to pursue their aspirations and contribute to socio-economic development.