For moms entering a political career at any level, allowing campaign funds to be used for childcare expenses is a critical first step to leveling the playing field for women candidates to run and win.
summarizes it perfectly: “Our economy is built on the backs of women’s unpaid labor. That is just the truth in this country and in all countries. But we don’t recognize that unpaid labor.” This deep-seated cultural reality needs to change—but in the meantime there are things we can do to support women candidates to be in a position to make the changes that shift this dynamic.
“For the first five, six months of the campaign, I was campaigning with a baby strapped to my chest and a toddler by my side,” she continued. “And I realized it wasn’t sustainable. But, neither was picking up the cost of childcare after having given up my salary to run.”to get federal permission to use campaign funds for childcare needs.the very next year, and their important work has revealed that Shirley’s experience is not unique.
For the first five, six months of the campaign, I was campaigning with a baby strapped to my chest and a toddler by my side. I realized it wasn’t sustainable. But, neither was picking up the cost of childcare after having given up my salary to run.Many countries around the world understand the reality of the