The National Women's Council (NWC) has said affordable childcare remains the single "biggest barrier" to women's equality in Ireland.
It comes as parents across the country are taking part in a campaign calling for public and affordable childcare.
The NWC led a day of action today, with a panel discussion in Dublin's Liberty Hall and a call to parents to take part in a social media campaign online.
The council called on the Government to move towards a public model of childcare, similar to our public school system.
"The lack of affordable childcare is the single biggest barrier to women's equality," said NWC Director Orla O’Connor.
"It has been shown, time and again, that a public model is good for women, good for children, and good for society.
"Today, we are calling on Government to transition to a public model of childcare similar to our public school system.
"We are also calling for the promised 25% cut in costs to parents as a stop-gap measure in Budget 2024."
It comes as members of the Federation of Early Childhood Providers prepare to close their doors next week to highlight the financial crisis facing the sector.
As parents across the country continue to struggle to find childcare for their children, campaigners said the Government must commit to providing a secure and stable start to the children of the nation.
"The joy of finding out I was pregnant quickly turned to panic," said Sinéad Massey, parent of one.
"At just 12 weeks into my pregnancy, I had called 12 creches in three different counties, and I still could not get a place. I had an Excel sheet with each service name and where I was on the list.
"This was March 2020, and by September 2023, my child was still tenth on the waiting list in one of the creches. By luck, I secured a childminder through a friend of a friend of a friend. This is not a unique situation; this is the childcare sector in Ireland."
The council, along with other campaigners, said overall there is a constant sense of crisis in the sector because of issues like high fees and a shortage of spaces.
"A public model would ensure that every child, no matter their parent’s financial situation, has a right to an early years education," said Eilish Balfe, NWC’s Care Officer.
"It also means the women who most need it - lone parents, low-paid workers, and women from minority groups - can access childcare on an equal footing. It creates more choices for these women, enabling them to work, or to return to education, or otherwise participate in community and political life."
Parents and childcare providers are being asked to wear purple and share their experiences of childcare on social media using #PurpleForPublic.
Today's action comes as childcare providers are set to hold three days of strike action next week as part of a protest over funding.
They claim that underinvestment in the sector is driving some out of business.
The Federation of Early Childhood Providers has said that a "significant" number will be closing their doors from 26-28 September.
