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The EU childcare strategy in times of austerity

The importance of accessible, affordable, flexible and high-quality childcare facilities is acknowledged by the European Union (EU) as an essential element to achieving gender equality and full employment for parents. However, legal and policy development in this area has been slow and lacking cohesion. Following the 2008 financial crisis, EU intervention on childcare issues appears to have been dictated by economic priorities and by the rights of the child. The early underpinning of childcare policy with the principle of gender equality is fading fast. This article argues that to date childcare remains dominated by rhetoric: the targets set are far from being achieved, disparities between Member States continue to occur, and women in Europe continue to bear the cost of reproduction disproportionately. In this context, childcare remains gendered, unvalued, unaccounted for and often unpaid.