Family-friendly labor policies and child supervision: Evidence from the Gambia, Mauritania, and São Tomé and Príncipe

Abstract

Background

In many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), children under five years old are frequently left home alone without adult supervision, exposing them to various risks. Family-friendly labor policies have the potential to improve parental care, but evidence of their effectiveness in LMICs remains scarce.

Objective

This study examines the association between labor market policies and the prevalence of unsupervised children in The Gambia, Mauritania, and São Tomé and Príncipe.

Participants

The study included a total of 42,399 children under five years of age, from two waves of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) conducted in The Gambia, Mauritania, and São Tomé and Príncipe. The surveys employed similar sampling strategies and survey weights, both of which was approved by UNICEF to ensure methodological rigor and representativeness.

Methods

A mixed-method approach was used to provide a comprehensive analysis of policy development and its impact on child adequate supervision. Using this method, we (a) tracked and verified policy development through key informant interviews, and (b) analyzed two waves of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS).

Findings

Our findings indicate that while labor market policies alone do not significantly reduce unsupervised time (adjusted risk ratio = 0.59–1.74, 95 % confidence interval), their integration into broader child welfare strategies could enhance child supervision.

Conclusion

This study highlights the need for robust policies to address child protection challenges in LMICs. While not sufficient alone, their effective implementation can improve child supervision as part of child welfare strategies.