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Description
The MERIT - MothER Income InequaliTy project will produce knowledge about the impact of motherhood in women’s income and careers, and will produce a combination of concrete public policy proposals to minimize asymmetries and promote gender equality in the labour market, especially through motherhood. The project will achieve to estimate the impact of motherhood on wages and pensions and to compare it with fatherhood; to estimate the impact of motherhood on work life and to compare it with fatherhood; to analyse the impact of motherhood on income specifically during the pandemic.To analyse the working conditions and gender asymmetries that arose during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic; to develop a comparative analysis on social and labour policies at the European level, regarding policies related to family support such as maternity/parental leave and work-family balance policies; to develop recommendations that mitigate the impact of motherhood on income and gender asymmetries.
Summary of project results
The MERIT Project aimed to examine the impact of motherhood on income and career progression, comparing it with fatherhood. It analyzed the effects on wages, pensions, and career paths, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and compared family support policies, like parental leave, across European countries. The project sought to develop public policy recommendations to reduce income disparities and promote gender equality in the workplace.
The project conducted six key studies to gather evidence on gender inequality and its relationship with parenthood. These activities included: a literature review and data analysis to assess the impact of motherhood on income and career progression compared to fatherhood. A qualitative study gathered parents'' perceptions on these issues. In contrast, a quantitative study estimated the short-term effects of parenthood on income in various European countries, focusing on the impact of COVID-19. Another study analyzed work conditions and gender inequalities during the pandemic. The project also compared family support and work-life balance policies across Europe and developed public policy recommendations to mitigate the impact of motherhood on income and reduce gender disparities.
This project studied how becoming a parent affects the income and career paths of mothers and fathers, focusing on workplace inequalities that harm women''s financial well-being and their families in Portugal and Europe. By gathering information from parents and analyzing data, the project helped understand the challenges of balancing work and family life. It also measured how having children impacts short- and long-term income. Additionally, the project compared family support policies across Europe, identifying what works well and suggesting improvements to promote fairness in pay, career opportunities, and caregiving responsibilities.
The project created recommendations for policies that promote gender equality and better support for parents, benefiting both mothers and fathers and their children. These recommendations aim to reduce income inequalities and improve family well-being.
Summary of bilateral results
This project was developed in collaboration with the Norwegian partner PANSOC, strengthened bilateral relations by encouraging the exchange of knowledge and research methodologies. According to the project''s lead institution, this partnership enriched the research process and enhanced the skills of researchers from both countries. It also facilitated the joint development of informed policies and measures, the sharing of best practices, and experiences from both Portugal and Norway, leading to more effective and context-specific approaches to promoting gender equality.