The care economy—encompassing unpaid domestic work, childcare, elder care, and other household responsibilities—forms the invisible foundation of Africa’s socioeconomic development. Despite its critical role, care work remains undervalued, underpaid, and disproportionately shouldered by women. According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), women in Africa contribute an estimated 40 billion hours annually to unpaid care labor, constraining their ability to participate in formal employment, education, and civic engagement.
The Economic Impact of Unpaid Care Work
Unpaid care work subsidizes national economies by enabling workforce productivity and human capital development. However, its exclusion from GDP measurements obscures its true economic value. Research by the International Labour Organization (ILO) indicates that 86% of African women work in the informal sector, often in low-paying, precarious jobs with limited social protections, partly due to caregiving obligations.
Policy Interventions and Solutions
Recognizing the care economy’s centrality, ICRW Africa has spearheaded evidence-based policy initiatives, including Kenya’s National Care Policy. This groundbreaking framework, developed in partnership with UN Women and the Kenyan government, seeks to:
- Recognize care work’s economic value through data collection and advocacy.
- Reduce the burden through infrastructure investments (e.g., accessible water, childcare facilities).
- Redistribute responsibilities by promoting gender-equitable norms and paid care employment.
Conclusion
Investing in the care economy is not merely a social imperative but an economic necessity. By integrating care work into national development agendas, African nations can unlock women’s full economic potential and accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
