Safe water and sanitation are essential for sustainable development, yet over 2 billion people worldwide still lack access to safely managed drinking water, and 3.5 billion lack safe sanitation. These gaps are not just inconvenient; they are dangerous. Poor water and sanitation infrastructure leads to high rates of waterborne illness, drains household time and income, and … [Read more...] about Why Water and Sanitation in Early Life Matter for Long-Term Cognitive Development
Child Development Gaps Begin Early and Persist Into Adolescence: The Case of Uruguay
Children need more than basic care from the day they are born. Good nutrition, a safe environment, and opportunities for stimulation are key for the brain to develop and reach its full potential. But what happens when families lack the resources to provide these conditions? In poverty contexts, many children face multiple adversities from a very young age: family … [Read more...] about Child Development Gaps Begin Early and Persist Into Adolescence: The Case of Uruguay
How to Improve the Quality of Preschool Education?
Over the past few decades, preschool enrollment has grown significantly worldwide: from 29% in 1990 to 49% in 2015. While it is crucial for governments to expand access to early childhood education programs, it is equally important to focus on improving their quality. In fact, if these programs are not good enough to foster children’s development, their impact can be limited—or … [Read more...] about How to Improve the Quality of Preschool Education?
Care Chains: The Role of Grandmothers in Their Daughters’ Employment
Childcare is one of the main determinants of women’s participation in the labor market, especially during early childhood. In contexts where access to childcare services is limited, family networks play a central role in families’ daily organization. Within these networks, grandmothers are often a key source of support, although their contribution is not always visible or … [Read more...] about Care Chains: The Role of Grandmothers in Their Daughters’ Employment
What to Do with Unused Breast Milk? A Reflection on Breastfeeding and Donation
Breastfeeding has been one of the most transformative and challenging experiences of my life. From the moment my son, Lucas, was born, I found in breastfeeding a unique way to nourish and connect with him—but it was not always easy, especially when work required me to spend time away from him. Traveling without my baby was one of the most difficult moments, as—due to … [Read more...] about What to Do with Unused Breast Milk? A Reflection on Breastfeeding and Donation