Expanding Access to Daycare Centers for Women in the Health Workforce in Ethiopia: Lessons Learned from the USAID Transform: Primary Health Care Activity

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Resource author(s): Lanice Williams and Heran Abebe Tadesse, Lanice Williams and Heran Abebe Tadesse

Key topics: Technical Assistance

Regions: Sub-Saharan Africa

Related countries: Ethiopia


Many Ethiopian women working in the formal sector face challenges balancing care responsibilities for a newborn and work obligations. Anecdotal evidence suggests that many Ethiopian women face the decision to quit their job to accommodate breastfeeding and childcare rather than return to their career. Daycare centers are an essential step to addressing the needs of working women who share the majority of care-taking tasks, especially in the first six months. To address this gap, the Ministry of Health Women, Children, and Youth Affairs Directorate launched the first daycare center on Ministry premises, supported by the Transform: Primary Health Care Activity. Building on the success of this center, the Activity administered subgrants to support additional daycare centers at Regional Health Bureaus in Amhara, Oromia, and Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region (SNNPR). This brief outlines the Activity’s process for adapting daycare center technical standards, procuring critical items for setup, and managing day-to-day functions as guidance and lessons learned for entities establishing daycare centers in their facilities. 

Photo Credit: Nena Terrell/USAID Ethiopia

Courtney Carr

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Communications Specialist

Courtney Carr is EnCompass’ Communications Specialist, supporting the internal and external messaging and communications initiatives. She brings her knowledge and skills in writing, social media, video production, event planning and television news and radio production to the position. Before joining EnCompass, Ms. Carr worked at Community Science as a business development coordinator. She received her BA in Broadcast Journalism at Pennsylvania State University and holds a MA in Strategic Communication from American University.

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