Addressing the unpaid care challenge
Across the world, millions of hours of unpaid care work are performed every day. From caring for children and elderly family members to supporting persons with disabilities and managing household responsibilities, unpaid care work sustains economies and societies. Yet, it remains largely invisible, undervalued, and disproportionately carried by women. This unequal distribution of care responsibilities continues to limit women’s economic participation, leadership opportunities, and overall well-being.
Addressing the unpaid care challenge requires more than isolated interventions. It calls for a coordinated effort between governments, businesses, civil society organizations, and communities. Public-private sector collaboration presents one of the most effective pathways to transform care systems, advance gender equality, and unlock economic growth.
Unpaid care: An economic and social issue. Unpaid care work is often perceived as a private family responsibility. In reality, it is a critical economic issue. When women spend a disproportionate amount of time caring for family members, they are more likely to experience interrupted careers, reduced working hours, limited access to leadership positions, and lower lifetime earnings.
The consequences extend beyond individuals. Businesses face talent shortages, higher employee turnover, and reduced productivity when care responsibilities force employees, particularly women, to leave the workforce. Governments lose opportunities for increased labor force participation and economic growth. As populations age and care demands increase, these challenges will only intensify.
Recognizing unpaid care as a shared societal responsibility is the first step toward meaningful change.
Why collaboration matters. No single sector can solve the care crisis alone.
Governments play a critical role in establishing an enabling environment for care. Key interventions include expanding affordable and accessible childcare and eldercare services; investing in care infrastructure, particularly in underserved communities; and incorporating unpaid care metrics into national development and economic planning. Moreover, countries that strengthen care systems create conditions for more inclusive and sustainable growth.
Employers have a unique opportunity to become catalysts for change. Organizations that invest in caregiver-friendly policies are more likely to attract and retain talent, improve employee engagement, and strengthen diversity and inclusion outcomes. Examples of business-led solutions include flexible work arrangements and hybrid work models, paid parental and caregiving leave, childcare subsidies and childcare partnerships, and family-friendly workplace policies that encourage shared caregiving responsibilities among men and women.
Governments have the mandate to develop policies, regulations, and public investments that support families. The private sector has the capacity to innovate, scale solutions, and create workplace environments that enable employees to balance work and caregiving responsibilities. Civil society and community organizations bring expertise, grassroots engagement, and an understanding of the diverse realities faced by caregivers.
When these sectors work together, they can create comprehensive and sustainable solutions that expand access to quality care services while promoting women’s economic empowerment.
Moving from commitment to action. The conversation around unpaid care is gaining momentum globally, but progress requires concrete action. Public declarations and policy commitments must be matched by investments, partnerships, and measurable outcomes.
By recognizing care as a shared responsibility rather than an individual burden, business leaders, policymakers, and civil society organizations have an opportunity to work together to build care systems that support families, strengthen economies, and advance gender equality.
The unpaid care challenge is not simply a women’s issue. It is an economic, social, and development challenge that affects everyone. Through meaningful public-private sector collaboration, we can move closer to a future where care is valued, supported, and shared equitably, enabling all individuals to participate fully in both work and society.
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Ma. Aurora “Boots” D. Geotina-Garcia is the founding chair and president of PhilWEN, and chair of the Governing Council of the Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment. She is the first female chair of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority. Boots is president of Mageo Consulting Inc., a corporate finance advisory services firm.
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Women Who Lead is an initiative of PhilWEN.
