The Care Gap Endorses Kamala Harris for President

we need a candidate that centers care, who will work for children, women, and families in America

This week, The Care Gap is proud to endorse Kamala Harris for President. With her extensive professional experience and steadfast commitment to addressing key issues affecting women and families, Kamala Harris is the candidate America needs to lead us into a more equitable future. Let's explore why her leadership is vital at such a time as this.

TLDR:

• Experienced Leadership: Kamala Harris brings a wealth of experience from her roles as Attorney General of California, U.S. Senator, and Vice President.

• Champion for Women: Harris has consistently advocated for affordable childcare, caregiving support, pay equity, and gender equality.

• Care-Centric Agenda: In a time of caregiving crisis, a candidate focused on care is essential for preserving the well-being of current and future generations.

• America’s Caregiving Crisis: The U.S. is facing a severe caregiving crisis that requires immediate, comprehensive action.

Experienced Leadership

In a world where women have to be twice as qualified as the average man to occupy a leadership position, Kamala is over-qualified for the presidency. Kamala Harris has a distinguished career marked by her service as Attorney General of California, U.S. Senator, and Vice President. Her extensive experience in public service uniquely qualifies her to tackle the complex challenges facing our nation. As California’s Attorney General, Harris managed the largest state justice department in the U.S., overseeing significant reforms in criminal justice and consumer protection. In the Senate, she served on key committees, including the Senate Judiciary Committee, where she was a vocal advocate for civil rights and justice reform. As Vice President, Harris has played a critical role in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic and championing infrastructure and economic recovery initiatives.

Champion for Women

Kamala Harris has a proven track record of advocating for issues that disproportionately affect women, which demonstrates her deep understanding and commitment to gender equity. She has consistently pushed for increased funding for childcare services and supported the Child Care for Working Families Act, which aims to make childcare more affordable for low- and middle-income families. Harris introduced the Family Friendly Schools Act, aimed at aligning school hours with parents' work schedules to reduce the burden on working families. She has been a strong advocate for the Paycheck Fairness Act, designed to address wage discrimination and close the gender pay gap, with women still earning only 82 cents for every dollar earned by men, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Additionally, Harris has highlighted the issue of unpaid labor in the household, advocating for policies that recognize and compensate this essential work. She has called for comprehensive paid family leave policies, emphasizing that both parents need time to care for their newborns, noting that the U.S. is one of the few developed countries without a national paid leave policy. Harris has also proposed measures to support aging care, recognizing the increasing need for eldercare as the population ages.

The Necessity of a Care-Centric Agenda

In a time of crisis, America needs a leader who prioritizes care. The U.S. is currently facing a caregiving crisis, with millions of families struggling to balance work and caregiving responsibilities. A report by the AARP Public Policy Institute found that family caregivers provide an estimated $470 billion worth of unpaid care annually. The lack of affordable childcare and eldercare options significantly impacts workforce participation, particularly for women, with the National Women's Law Center reporting that over 2 million women left the workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic due to caregiving responsibilities. The stress of caregiving without adequate support leads to increased mental health issues among caregivers, with the National Alliance for Caregiving reporting that caregivers are at higher risk for anxiety and depression.

The Impact of Female Leadership on Care Policies

When women take leadership roles, they often prioritize care policies, leading to significant positive changes. For example, New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern implemented progressive policies that support families and caregivers. Under her leadership, New Zealand introduced extended paid parental leave, increasing it from 18 weeks to 26 weeks, and made substantial investments in early childhood education. These changes have helped reduce the financial burden on families and improve work-life balance.

Another example is Iceland, where female leadership has been instrumental in advancing gender equality and family-friendly policies. Iceland consistently ranks at the top of the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report, thanks to its comprehensive parental leave policies, which include three months of leave for each parent and an additional three months to share as they choose. These policies have promoted shared caregiving responsibilities and supported women's participation in the workforce.

Why Kamala Harris?

A candidate who centers care in their agenda is essential for preserving the well-being of both present and future generations. Kamala Harris understands the critical role that caregiving plays in our society and has a comprehensive plan to address it. She advocates for significant investment in childcare, eldercare, and paid family leave, recognizing these as essential components of a thriving economy. Harris supports fair wages and protections for care workers, who are predominantly women and often undervalued and underpaid. Her policies aim to provide comprehensive solutions that address the interconnected issues of gender equity, economic stability, and family well-being.

Our Endorsement

The Care Gap endorses Kamala Harris for President because she is the leader we need to address the caregiving crisis and champion the issues that matter most to women and families. Her experienced leadership, commitment to gender equity, and care-centric agenda make her the ideal candidate to lead America into a more caring, equitable, and prosperous future. The stakes are too high to seat on the sidelines. Care is one of the biggest issue facing everyday Americans who seek affordable care infrastructure and solutions for their children, aging adults, persons with disabilities and special conditions. By recognizing and supporting Kamala Harris’s vision, we can ensure a better, more caring America for all.

Kamala On Care

• The Momala Economy: The candidate caregivers have been waiting for

• Kamala Harris outlines 2025 goals, from family leave to child care

• Harris pledges to revive paid family leave, universal preschool

• Kamala Harris vows to revive Biden’s defeated Care Economy plans

• FACT SHEET: Vice President Harris Announces Action to Lower Child Care Costs for More than 100,000 Families

• Attacking Kamala Harris for Not Having Kids Will Backfire

• What a Kamala Harris presidency would mean for health care in America

• As Kamala Harris campaigns for presidency, where she stands on health care issues

• Kamala Supports Care Workers

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The Care Gap is written by Blessing Adesiyan, Founder & CEO of Mother Honestly Group Inc., the parent company for The Care Gap, Caring Africa, and Caring Blocks where she is on a mission to close the care gap for families, workplaces, and economies globally through content, advocacy, and technology. Follow @blessing.adesiyan @thecaregap for more.