Unpaid care work refers to the work done in the home and in communities from preparing food, collecting firewood and water to taking care of children, the ill and the elderly. Women and girls living in poverty sometimes have to forego their basic human rights to an education, healthcare, decent work and leisure time in order to balance all these many activities. This perpetuates gender inequality, reinforces inequitable gender norms and keeps women and girls in poverty.
ActionAid International Women’s Rights team piloted the women’s Unpaid Care Work Program in collaboration with ActionAid Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria and Nepal. This program is one of the ActionAid International’s contributions to the National Development Strategies of implementing countries.