3 Things Mobile Creches | Cradles of Change: Dr. Rakesh Gupta on reimagining care, equity, and governance
Jul 24, 2025
Dr. Rakesh Gupta, IAS officer and Additional Secretary to the President of India, shares insights on Haryana's innovative creche policy aimed at empowering women. He discusses how this initiative transforms childcare services and enhances workforce participation. The conversation explores the significant impact on women's agency and reproductive rights, highlighting systemic changes in governance. Gupta emphasizes the importance of integrated support for women, advocating for decentralized childcare models that align with national development goals.
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Haryana's Creche Policy Origins
- Haryana's creche policy emerged from the critical need to support working women amid historic gender biases.
- Lack of childcare facilities pushed women out of the workforce after childbirth, reducing female labor participation.
Successful Haryana Daycare Collaboration
- Haryana government initiated 500 daycare centers with Mobile Creches' partnership to meet working women's childcare needs.
- Extended hours, local accessibility, and quality services boosted women's workforce participation and family incomes.
Key Government Approaches
- Use multi-sector partnerships, data-driven coordination, and community engagement to ensure successful childcare programs.
- Adopt rights-based, evidence-informed policies integrating behavioral change for lasting systemic change.