Toyin Saraki’s Post

📢 Did you know that unpaid care work is still one of the biggest barriers keeping women out of the workforce? On this International Day of Care, we shine a spotlight on the care economy—a crucial yet often invisible force that supports societies but disproportionately burdens women and girls, including in ACP countries. Women’s unpaid care responsibilities, including childcare, elder care, and domestic duties, are a primary reason many are excluded from economic opportunities, limiting their personal empowerment, and stifling overall economic growth. 📖 Our #ICReport "Business Environment Reforms and the Care Economy" emphasises that gender-responsive care policies are key to creating a supportive business environment that allows women to thrive. Childcare services, parental leave policies, and other care infrastructure are powerful tools to enhance women’s access to quality jobs, entrepreneurship, and education. Promoting policies like paternity leave can also help shift gender norms and redistribute unpaid care work, benefiting families and driving overall economic growth. As we reflect on the importance of care today, let’s continue to push for reforms that prioritise care policies to reduce the gender gap and create equitable economic opportunities for all. 🔎 Read our report in full here: https://lnkd.in/eP2PyXvc Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH British Council Expertise France SNV

Women carry out nearly three times more of the daily care of children, homes and the elderly than men. Today, more than 600 million women forgo paid work for unpaid caregiving responsibilities. Globally, 76% of unpaid care work is performed by women, according to the International Labour Organization, and these disparities are only worsening as many countries face shifting demographics and a growing demand for not just childcare, but also eldercare We need to rethink our approach to care. Regardless of whether someone is working in a care facility or in a domestic setting, we must build a new care ecosystem that is not just focused on those receiving the benefits of care work, but instead creates opportunities for decent work, safe and dignified care, and economic transformation for all. #gatesfoundation #genderequality

🌎 The care economy is pivotal but often reliant on unpaid work by women. Exciting initiatives, ranging from Bogotá's Care Blocks and the Netherlands' Buurtzorg model to SEWA's childcare cooperatives in India and Paraguay's digital Helpers platform, are not only pioneering ways to professionalize this sector, but shining a light on the critical roles women play as invisible workers. These models exemplify global efforts to transform care into a recognized and valued part of our economy. #CareEconomy #GenderEquality

🍁 Shedding Light on Women Caregivers in Canada on National Caregiver Day 🍁 Did you know that in Canada, women are at the forefront of caregiving roles? According to recent data revealed, around 70% of caregivers in Canada are women. Which emphasizes the significant roles played by women in providing care and support for their families and communities across the country. Whether caring for aging parents, children with special needs, or spouses with illnesses, women caregivers demonstrate resilience, compassion, and strength in their daily roles, it's essential to recognize the contributions of these dedicated caregivers, which is invaluable. However, challenges that many women caregivers face; Balancing caregiving responsibilities with work commitments, financial strains, and managing personal well-being are among the many hurdles they navigate with grace and determination. As we celebrate Women's History Month, let's not only acknowledge the statistics but also advocate for meaningful support for women caregivers in Canada. This includes policies and programs that promote workplace flexibility, affordable caregiving services, and access to resources for caregiver support. Together, let's honor the dedication of women caregivers in Canada and work towards creating a more inclusive and supportive society for all. #WomenCaregivers, #CaregivingStats #SupportWomenInCanada #NationalCaregiverDay🌟🍁

Care is an investment, not a cost. And our groundbreaking new research shows that. Right now, countless women are being held back from the workforce due to a lack of support around their caring responsibilities. 1 in 4 mothers is being pushed out of the workforce due to a lack of affordable, accessible childcare. Whilst an additional 1 in 4 mothers is reducing their working hours unwillingly. The care economy is shaping our workforce, yet it’s often overlooked. It’s time to: 🧸 Recognise the value of care work and the rights of care recipients and caregivers 🪀 Reduce labour- intensive indirect unpaid care work by improving access to physical infrastructure 🧸 Redistribute unpaid care work between households, and the state, businesses and community, and between genders 🪀 Reward paid care workers with fairer legislation and policies, protection of vulnerable workers, and enhanced career development opportunities Today, we ask you to show the UK you care. Add your name to our open letter and call for change: https://lnkd.in/enh9pWqw

This is so exciting that the Care Economy is part of Biden's economic agenda! To learn more about how to get involved in valuing the work of care, check out the Power of Partnership Podcast with New York Assembly Ron Kim at https://lnkd.in/g28Tr2j3

As we mark the second annual International Day of Care, check out these resources on how USAID is working to create a future where care work is valued, women and children thrive, and economic opportunity is available to all. WEBINAR | Care Work: Gaps and Opportunities  Friday, November 8, 9:00-10:15 a.m. ET Register for this webinar with the IRIS Group, the SAGE Fund, and International Development Research Centre (IDRC) on their research and practical strategies to strengthen the care economy. https://lnkd.in/ebB-9WEE READ | Medium Blog: 5 Ways USAID Advances the Care Economy  USAID's Bama Athreya and Carmen Coles outline how USAID is committed to ensuring that care workers—including community health workers, childcare workers, social service workers, and others—have rights-respecting, dignified and gender-equitable work opportunities. These common sense investments reward families, communities, and national economies.  https://lnkd.in/eyXtx25u READ | GenderLinks Blog: Advancing the Rights of Women Health Workers in Ghana USAID's Eva Neligh, Ashley Clonchmore, and Mary Addo-Mensah outline how women healthcare workers in Ghana are addressing unsafe working environments, women's underrepresentation in leadership roles, and lack of access to fair wages and secure employment. https://lnkd.in/ePJPCzcg WATCH | What is the Care Economy?  Care work comprises the activities necessary to promote the well-being of a society. Watch this explainer video. https://lnkd.in/eNSARp4k WATCH | The Care Economy: A South African Childcare Nurtures Economic Opportunity for Women Meet Portia, who started a childcare business in her home after noticing some kids in her neighborhood couldn’t read or write. USAID support enabled her to attend Grow ECD’s accelerator program to gain skills in personal leadership, finance, and business. Now, she enrolls more than 60 children and provides employment for others in the community. https://lnkd.in/exkZu3kD WATCH | New U.S. Strategy to Protect Vulnerable Kids In an interview with Voice of America, USAID's Bama Athreya outlined how the Thrive Strategy guides U.S. government agencies to invest in the development, care, dignity, and safety of the world’s most vulnerable children and their families.  https://lnkd.in/eWaKgP69 READ | For the Future of Economic Growth, Invest in Care In a Hill oped, I joined Bama Athreya in discussing the important role that investments in care infrastructure play in women’s economic security and empowerment globally. https://lnkd.in/eudW5V6w

Excellent report from UN Women UK, which is essential reading for government and business leaders. We must push for change so that we invest in care and recognise the incredible contribution women can make if they are liberated by increased support! I have signed the open letter- will you?

When women are burdened with the majority of caregiving tasks, it significantly hinders their opportunities for education, career advancement, and political participation. Research shows that caregiving responsibilities fall disproportionately on women, especially in unpaid roles like childcare and eldercare. This not only limits their access to the workforce but also impacts their overall health and economic security. According to studies, women carry out over 70% of global caregiving hours, leading many to reduce working hours or leave their jobs entirely. To address this inequality, governments and organizations are need to develop policies that support equal sharing of caregiving tasks, offer better leave options, and promote access to care facilities for employees. #CareEconomy #EqualCareWork #GenderEquality #SupportCaregivers #CareAndEquality #CaringAfrica

This is personal...and this post has a Call To Action... 1 in 4 mothers should not be pushed out of the workforce due to lack of affordable and accessible childcare. Whilst an additional 1 in 4 are reducing their hours when they don't want to! 👶🏼 I've been here... 👧🏼 I've watched it around me... 🧒 I've fought against it... 👩🏼 I now call it! Parents should be able to choose their path. If that's a career and having children, then there should be choices in childcare that are within the realms of possibility. Choices that allow those valuable voices around the table. Voices that are enablers to grow businesses and profit, with purpose and passion. Importantly, what about allowing those children the opportunity to experience that parent working, with all the trials, tribulations and learnings that brings them too. UK friends - Please consider signing the open letter! This shouldn't be an issue in this nation, others do it well (and granted we all know some do it far worse!).. But surely we can BE better at this - we should strive for that! The care system should not be seen as a societal cost but as a critical investment. Coincidentally #UNWOMEN posted that of the 133 speakers at the United Nations General Assembly #UNGA ONLY 9 are women!!! I appreciate there are many variables to this figure reported, but when we read the below, do we really wonder why...? 📝 OH... and by the way... if you're wondering... I am all FOR right person, right job... but I'm pretty sure that 9 out of 133 doesn't fulfil that.. and if many of the population can't even get to the interview, take the train, get on the plane - what's to be done! #thecareeconomy is the engine room of society. The End.