PARI’s Post

🇺🇿 In 2023, Uzbekistan introduced the concept of a "social state” into its Constitution. However, questions remain regarding what this term truly entails and how it will be implemented in a nation balancing socialism, capitalism, and traditional Islam. While the Uzbek government promotes this idea as a foundation for reforms, the reality is complex and often unclear. 🔸Increased Social Inequality: According to the World Bank, inequality has significantly widened, with the richest 10% of the population seeing a 30% rise in income, while the poorest have experienced only a 6% increase. Despite government pledges to improve social welfare, the benefits have largely favored the affluent. 🔸Power Centralization: The idea of a social state has become closely associated with the presidency, shifting the focus from societal welfare to reinforcing governmental authority. This centralization limits public participation and positions citizens as passive recipients of state-provided benefits. 🔸Control Through Social Initiatives: Programs like the “mahalla seven” show how social care is often employed as a mechanism for control. While these local committees are meant to support low-income families, they also act as state surveillance tools, reinforcing governmental power at the grassroots level. While Uzbekistan’s social state concept promises significant change, the reality is more complex, with entrenched power structures and mixed ideologies clouding its path. Will these reforms lead to meaningful improvement, or are they merely a tool to maintain the status quo? For those interested in a deeper dive, you can read the full article on the site: https://lnkd.in/ectSPy9a

"Are we making progress? Yes, we are making progress, but before discussing progress, let's reflect on how we got here. let’s talk about how we got here, the singular thing is prioritisation...when we are not prioritising health, and education, this is what we get." — Dr. Tunji Alausa , Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, speaking at the GS-24 Ministerial Panel: Financing SDG 5 in Nigeria: Addressing Gaps and Opportunities for Gender Equity. Watch the full video on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/d3sjBQzi #GS24 #InclusivePathways #PovertyReduction #GS24Insights

“CARE IS THE WORK THAT MAKES ALL OTHER WORK POSSIBLE” In the lead-up to October 29, 2024 (the #InternationalDayofCareandSupport), we will collectively share information, data, and advocacy messages aimed at promoting further recognition of and reward for care work, understanding the care economy and gendered impacts of care work, and enactment of care responsive policy frameworks, investments, and budgets in Kenya. During this period, you'll see most of these concepts applied- Care economy, care work, care job, paid care, unpaid care, caregivers, care recipients, persons with disability, elderly care, supervisory care, childcare, 3R& 5R (recognize, reduce, redistribute, reward, represent), social protection, care service provision, care leave, parental leave, maternity leave, paternity leave, labour policies, domestic work, care burden, care system, care analysis, social justice, household care, labour market, decent work, gender incentive, employment incentive, social policy, purple economy, social enterprise, time-use survey, labour force survey, household survey, migrant workers, informal economy, informal sector, climate change, care-climate nexus, physical care infrastructure, social infrastructure, austerity measures, system of national accounts, GDP, time poverty, time-and labour saving technologies, social norms, positive masculinity, access to essential services, care diamond, among others. Let's keep the conversation interactive, educative, convincing, and trigger action at all levels. The time is now. International Center for Research on Women (ICRW), ICRW Africa, UN Women, State Department for Gender, Co-Impact, Oxfam, KU-WEE HUB, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, WeProsper, @Council of Governors, KEPSA KENYA, H.E Mama Rachael Ruto, Innovations for Poverty Action, ActionAid International Kenya, Blandina Ijecha Bobson,Purity Osumba, Purity Chebor, Eva Komba, Evelyne Opondo,Rhoda Maina, Denis Galava, PhD, Kidogo, Collaborative Action for Childcare in Africa

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's projections, by 2036, Madhya Pradesh's population will consist of 48.8% women and 22.7% children. This underscores the need for current #policies and #investments in women and children's welfare to promote long-term economic growth. The state's progress in reducing poverty is evident, but challenges remain in areas like child #nutrition and #maternal #health. Along with my colleague Prashansa Dixit, have analysed the Gender Budget and Child Budget in context of #SDGs in Madhya Pradesh. For more, visit  https://lnkd.in/ducs7h_k

In our article, we have analysed the state gender and child budget 2024-25 compared with previous year's budget, in context of SDGs in Madhya Pradesh.

Unveiling the Invisible Labour That Sustains Our Societies Across diverse socio-economic contexts, unpaid care work such as cooking, cleaning, and childcare forms the foundation of economies worldwide. Despite its critical contribution to societal well-being and economic stability, this labour, predominantly carried out by women, remains systematically undervalued and largely excluded from mainstream economic discourse. A plethora of research on the care economy, including findings by the International Labour Organization (ILO), underscores that unpaid care work is integral to labour markets and social reproduction. The ILO highlights that women perform over three-quarters of all unpaid care work globally, often at the cost of their economic empowerment and personal development. As a researcher in social reproduction, my work focuses on understanding how these essential activities shape labour markets, gender roles, and social inequalities. For instance, how do women informal economy workers in Ghana and beyond manage the dual burden of work and caregiving? And how policy interventions can better support them? Social reproduction is not just an academic concept, it is a reality that affects all of us. By shedding light on these issues, I hope to spark conversations and advocate for more inclusive policies that recognize and value care work. What are your thoughts on the role of unpaid care work in society? Let’s start a conversation about the labour we often overlook but can’t live without. #SocialReproduction #CareEconomy #GenderEquality #LabourRights

WB to provide welfare support for 500m people by 2030 The World Bank Group to provide social protection measures to at least 500 million people by 2030, including 250m women due to global concerns like poverty, inequality, and climate change. According to the #WorldBank’s blog, Economic inclusion programs will help boost the income and assets of the world’s poorest groups and will be instrumental as they are proven pathways to better job opportunities and a life of dignity. Read the full story at https://lnkd.in/e-EzpupA

The following data shows that while strides have been made in delivering education, housing, and welfare benefits to a wider share of society, South Africa has yet to overcome the legacy of apartheid and deliver a better life for all.

Every child has the right to health, education and protection, and every society has a stake in expanding children’s opportunities in life. Yet, around the world, millions of children are denied a fair chance for no reason other than the country, gender or circumstances into which they are born. Child labour: Global estimates & trends - 1) Approximately 160 million children worldwide are involved in child labor, which represents 1 in 10 children. 2) From 2000 to 2020, child labor decreased by 85.5 million, dropping from 16% to 9.6%. 3) Only 26.4% of children worldwide receive social protection cash benefits. 4) Globally only 1.1% of GDP is spent on social protection for children and only 0.4% of GDP for children in Africa. Today on June 12th, World Day Against Child Labour 2024 let’s raise awareness about millions of children worldwide forced to work, often in hazardous conditions, depriving them of education and a proper childhood. The theme for this year is “Let's Act on Our Commitments: End Child Labour!” which emphasizes the need for collective action to eradicate child labour and protect children from exploitation. It encourages governments, employers, workers, civil society, and individuals to work together to create a world free from child labour. To create an impact, we should -raise awareness support NGOs, educate yourself, demand action, make informed choices. By working together, we can create a world where every child has the opportunity for a safe and healthy childhood, free from exploitation. Here are few NGOs who work for Children welfare and development: CRY - Child Rights and You Smile Foundation UNICEF India Read more info on https://lnkd.in/dRBANgdk #ILO #childlabourday #WHO #UN #EndChildLabour

📝 Blog post: The Demographic Deficit: National Security Challenges for Japan and South Korea 📉 "By 2050, Japan’s current population of 122 million is projected to decline to 100 million, while South Korea’s population is expected to decrease from 51.6 million to 46 million. The demographic shifts in both countries are characterized by declining birth rates, rapidly aging populations, and significant gender imbalances in the workforce. These trends have already raised alarms concerning their economic and social welfare systems, but the potential security consequences of these demographic changes have not been fully explored." 🇯🇵🇰🇷 Kristian Alexander, Rabdan Academy, writes about the demographic challenges in Japan and South Korea and suggests what the respective governments should do. 👶 "To address their demographic challenges, the governments of Japan and South Korea should implement and expand policies that encourage couples to have children. Key initiatives could include increasing access to affordable childcare, promoting a healthy work-life balance, offering flexible work arrangements, providing tax breaks for college tuition, and enacting laws to ensure pay equality." 💡 "In the military, investments in cutting-edge defense technologies are being made to address recruitment shortfalls and the challenges posed by shrinking populations." Here, you can find the blog post on our website: https://lnkd.in/dCm3bqkH .