Research in Lithuania shows that current policies on family care do not promote gender equality. Instead, they often add to women’s burdens by promoting the traditional division of labour. Only one in two dads takes paternity leave, and women bear the bulk of responsibility for caring for children and the elderly or disabled. The lack of quality services and poor infrastructure, especially in remote areas and for single parents, poses major challenges. According to EIGE, only 1% of men in Lithuania care for children or the elderly on a daily basis, compared to 17% more women who do this daily care. This not only causes problems in reconciling family and work, but also has a negative impact on women’s quality of life, health and social relationships. In order to change the situation, it is necessary to analyse and raise awareness of the current situation, educate the public and find effective solutions to reduce unpaid work.
