Awareness, Access, and Perceptions around Parental benefits among Urban Argentinians

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry Core Insights - The report emphasizes the need for a comprehensive parental benefits framework in Argentina that integrates both maternity and paternity benefits to promote gender equality and support labor market participation [7][17][40] Summary by Sections Introduction - Argentina faces significant challenges in gender equality and labor market participation, particularly among women during childbearing years, necessitating robust parental policies [16][26] Section 1: Argentina Country Context and Motivation - Women represent half of Argentina's working-age population but have a lower labor force participation rate (53.1%) compared to men (72.2%) [23] - Informal employment affects 51% of workers, limiting access to social protections during lifecycle events [25] Section 2: Overview and Assessment of Argentina's Parental Benefits Legal Framework - Argentina has not ratified ILO Convention No. 183 but has enacted legislation covering many key elements [44] - Maternity leave is 90 days for private-sector workers and 100 days for public-sector workers, while paternity leave is only 2 days for private-sector workers [52] - The parental benefits system is fragmented, with varying eligibility criteria based on employment status, leading to inequities [49] Section 3: Survey Results - A survey of 832 urban Argentinians revealed significant gaps in awareness and access to parental benefits, particularly among informal workers [18][21] - Disparities exist in perceptions of childcare responsibilities, with entrenched gender norms influencing attitudes [19][20] Section 4: Assessment and Recommendations of Parental Benefits Policies - The report recommends extending minimum leave durations, simplifying eligibility criteria, and improving data transparency to enhance inclusivity [7][20][49] - It advocates for a shift from maternity-focused policies to a comprehensive parental benefits framework that includes fathers and aligns with labor market dynamics [17][41]