Care is the invisible engine that powers our societies-raising children, supporting older people, and assisting persons with disabilities. It's the daily work that enables others to live with dignity, to learn, and to earn.
Across the world, women and girls still shoulder most care work, as unequal norms and low investment in public systems continue to limit their time for education, leadership, decent work, and leisure. In 2024, women globally earned the equivalent of 41 fewer days of paid work than men, largely because of the time they spend on unpaid care. That's over a month of lost income, with real consequences for their financial security.
In a world facing growing challenges, investing in care is one of the smartest, most inclusive strategies we have to build resilience, promote equality, and drive shared prosperity.
UN Women is acting on this imperative, working with partners to turn the care agenda into reality. In 61 countries, we are working with partners to build gender-transformative care systems, improve time-use data, and promote gender-responsive budgeting. For example, in Kenya UN Women is supporting the Government to develop its first national care policy. In parallel, through the landmark Seville Platform for Action, the global initiative, Investing in Care for Equality and Prosperity, is mobilizing public and private financing, positioning care as a catalyst for equality and shared prosperity.
Momentum is growing. At the sixty-ninth session of the Commission on the Status of Women, Member States reaffirmed their shared commitment to care and support, in line with CEDAW and the Beijing Platform for Action. In August, the Tlatelolco Commitment from Latin America and the Caribbean recognized care as a human right in its own standing.
It's time to build a world that recognizes, values, and shares care-with strong systems, real investment, and support across every life stage. A world where care workers are respected, fairly paid, and protected.
When care is counted and resourced, everyone moves forward.
Care is not a cost. It is a catalyst for equality, dignity, and progress for all.
