In the blur of early parenthood, many parents don’t stop to think about how the roles they adopt at home – as the primary caregiver, or as the breadwinner – impact their careers and finances in the long-term. But they do. And when families can’t access affordable childcare, it’s generally women whose job security takes a hit. This fuels gender inequality on a national scale… contributing to the gender pay gap and the super gap. It also leaves real mums like Emma, whose story we hear in this episode, grappling with housing insecurity and an uncertain future.

Join our host Georgie Dent in our third and final full-length episode as we unpack the costs of the childcare crisis to gender equality and the economy Plus: experts share five key solutions that could help make childcare truly accessible and affordable for all – which would be transformative for our country, and especially women.

• At What Cost is an FW podcast in partnership with The Parenthood, a not-for-profit with a mission to make Australia the best place in the world to be a parent and raise a child. Join 80,000 other parents and carers today
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