I wanted to share with our readers two encouraging recent pieces of news from the US that demonstrates a commitment towards building more friendly workplaces for mothers. The first is that through “Obamacare” (within the Affordable Care Act) there is a provision requiring insurance companies to cover breast pumps and visits to lactation consultants at no cost to the patient. … [Read more...] about Pumps at work: lessons from Obamacare
I Don’t Want to Go to the Doctor
By Carolina Freire Few of us have fond memories of going to the doctor when we were young; however, if we add in a dark, cramped office lacking the proper equipment, the visit can turn into a nightmare for any child. Panama has 152 health centers that provide early stimulation services to improve the cognitive, physical and social development of children in their first … [Read more...] about I Don’t Want to Go to the Doctor
Understanding child labor
By Kathleen Beegle When you hear the words “child labor”, you probably picture a small child, maybe not older than 5 or 6 working in a small, airless room stitching footballs; or maybe you picture the same child working in stone quarrying, carrying loads far too heavy for his body size, using explosives and other dangerous tools to work with and laboring from dusk to … [Read more...] about Understanding child labor
The sooner, the better
It’s been in the headlines everywhere that early childhood is the most important developmental stage. But, what is the evidence? … [Read more...] about The sooner, the better
Women’s issues
By Susan Kolodin In rural Guatemala, most men say that pregnancy and birth are “women’s issues” and therefore not necessarily within their decision-making authority. On the other hand, most women declare that their husbands are the ones who decide about where to have the delivery because they are the ones who authorize a domestic expenditure. Although this might seem … [Read more...] about Women’s issues