child care

The UK allows most working women up to one year off work after they give birth. They are paid on a sliding scale: Full pay for 4 months, then half pay up to six months, then are allowed up to one year (or another six months) time off at little or no pay to return to their job, guaranteed. Other countries offer even greater time to return to work. Why can't the US support working parents in this way and allow new parents the choice to take that precious time to spend with their infant/toddlers

Make this a condition of all US aid going overseas: a fair share (50%) must go to women's health (including birth control), women's education, and wonem's business initiatives (including nursery schools while mothers work. This should also be presented as a resolution at the UN. Afterall, UNESCO pledged to end all discrimination against women worldwide by 2004 ... the goal needs to be revived, and given real support.