Early childhood development and gender equity: Addressing the burden on women caregivers

In this episode, we explore how philanthropy can advance gender equity through investment in early childhood development (ECD)—a sector heavily reliant on women’s unpaid and underpaid care work. Supriya Balakrishnan, Investment Director and India Head at LGT Venture Philanthropy (LGT VP) unpacks why ECD needs to be viewed through a gendered lens, highlighting the burden on women as both caregivers and frontline workers. She delves into the hidden cost of care work, the need to strengthen India’s Anganwadi system, and the critical funding gap limiting large-scale impact.