Singapore, 12 July 2026 – Prof. Vina Adriany, Director of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Centre for Early Childhood Care Education and Parenting (SEAMEO CECCEP), served as a keynote speaker at the PECERA (Pacific Early Childhood Education Research Association) Annual Conference 2026, held from 10–12 July 2026 in Singapore. The conference brought together researchers, academics, policymakers, and practitioners from across the Asia-Pacific region to discuss current issues and innovations in early childhood education and care.
In her presentation, Prof. Adriany emphasized that achieving gender equality should begin in the earliest years of life. She explained that children's understanding of gender roles starts to develop in early childhood through interactions within families, schools, communities, and the media. Therefore, early childhood education and care (ECEC) plays a crucial role in preventing gender stereotypes and promoting equal opportunities for all children.
"Gender equality cannot wait until adulthood. The foundation is built during early childhood, when children begin to develop their understanding of themselves and others," she stated.
A key message of the presentation was the importance of viewing education and care as equally essential components of quality early childhood services. While education often receives greater attention through learning outcomes and school readiness, the caregiving aspect—including nurturing children's emotional well-being, building secure relationships, and supporting holistic development—remains undervalued.
Prof. Adriany noted that caregiving is frequently perceived as a natural responsibility, particularly for women, rather than as a professional practice requiring knowledge, skills, and competencies. This perception contributes to the limited recognition of caregiving professions, including early childhood educators, despite their significant role in shaping children's lifelong development.
She further introduced the concept of the care economy, which recognizes caregiving as a vital investment in human capital and sustainable development. According to Prof. Adriany, strengthening the care economy requires governments to acknowledge caregiving as a valuable social and economic contribution, rather than unpaid domestic work.
Another important point highlighted during the session was the need to promote gender-flexible parenting. Rather than placing the responsibility of childcare primarily on mothers, families should be encouraged to share caregiving responsibilities more equally. Greater involvement of fathers, she explained, not only benefits children's cognitive, social, and emotional development but also contributes to more equitable family relationships.
To support these efforts, Prof. Adriany encouraged governments to strengthen gender mainstreaming in early childhood policies. This includes integrating gender perspectives into curriculum development, teacher education, parenting programmes, and public policies while ensuring that both education and caregiving are treated as inseparable pillars of quality ECEC systems.
"Quality early childhood education is not only about what children learn but also about how they are cared for. Education and care should go hand in hand because both shape children's development and future well-being," she concluded.
Through its participation in the PECERA Annual Conference 2026, SEAMEO CECCEP reaffirmed its commitment to advancing evidence-based policies and regional collaboration to strengthen Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) across Southeast Asia. The Centre continues to advocate for inclusive, equitable, and rights-based approaches that recognize both education and caregiving as fundamental to ensuring every child has the best possible start in life.
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