The ILO and partners launched a new daycare centre dedicated to domestic workers in Gulele Sub-City, strengthening early childhood development, with decent childcare jobs, while enabling women to participate more equally in the labour market. The initiative, led by the International Labour Organization, in collaboration with Addis Ababa City Administration Strategic Project Management Office (SPMO) ; Addis Ababa Women, Children and Social Affairs Bureau (AAWCSAB); Andinet Ethiopian Domestic Workers' Union (AEDWU), Gullele Sub‑City Women, Children and Social Affairs Office(GSCWCSAO); Andinet Ethiopian Domestic Workers' Union (AEDWU); Confederation of Ethiopian Trade Unions (CETU) and Partnership for Change (PFC), represents a practical investment in care, dignity and decent work.
© ILO/Homa M. Ejeta
The centre was established under the NORAD-supported ILO project Promoting Workers' Rights and Gender Equality at Work in Africa - Phase II. Beginning with the textile and garment sector, where the project first established two childcare centres, and expanding into agro‑processing with two additional centres, the initiative has now extended to a fifth childcare center in the domestic work sector, where women play a central yet often undervalued role in sustaining households and communities. Through this collaboration, the establishment of the fifth centre marks a significant milestone in advancing efforts to care for those who care for us, strengthening decent work, and expanding care solutions within the informal economy.
Speaking at the launch, the Director of the ILO Country Office for Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan and Special Representative to the AU and ECA emphasized the broader significance of the initiative.
"This project is important for the ILO because it promotes decent work for women, and more specifically for domestic workers. Many women have not been able to participate as equals in the workplace because of their family responsibilities. This facility makes it possible for them to work while knowing their children are safe, nurtured and being prepared for the future."
He added that the centre is not only about childcare, but about long-term impact.
"We want to see children who come out of this childcare center becoming leaders of the future. This contribution will help them grow, be guided properly and develop the skills they need to succeed."
© ILO/Homa M. Ejeta
A practical solution to a structural barrier
Access to affordable and reliable childcare remains one of the most significant barriers limiting women's economic participation. For domestic workers, whose work is often informal and undervalued, the challenge is even greater.
The new facility provides quality early childhood care services, with decent childcare jobs, enabling domestic workers to continue earning an income while ensuring their children are kept safely, supported in their development and given a strong foundation for the future.
The Head of the Gulele Sub-City, Woreda 09 Women and Social Affairs Office, Senait Jemago underscored the local government's commitment to the sustainability of the daycare.
"This centre belongs to the community. We are committed to ensuring it operates according to national childcare standards and remains a safe, supportive space for children. Our role is to manage it responsibly so that future generations can continue to benefit."
The initiative aligns with Ethiopia's ratification of the ILO Workers with Family Responsibilities Convention, 1981 (No. 156), which promotes equal opportunity and treatment for workers with family responsibilities. By investing in care services, the project translates international commitments into tangible local action.
Workers at the centre of the solution
Workers' representation played a central role in shaping the initiative. The Andinet Ethiopian Domestic Workers' Union helped identify eligible beneficiaries and ensured that the service reflects the real needs of domestic workers.
The President of the Andinet Domestic Workers' Union, Hirut Abera welcomed the launch as a milestone for its members.
"For many domestic workers, childcare has been a daily struggle that limits their ability to work with stability and peace of mind. This centre gives our members confidence that their children are cared for in a safe and structured environment. It is a major step forward for domestic workers' rights and dignity."
The centre was established through coordinated collaboration. The Addis Ababa City Administration Strategic Project Management Office provided leadership and budgetary support. The Addis Ababa Women, Children and Social Affairs Bureau guided implementation to meet national standards. The Gulele Sub-City Women, Children and Social Affairs Office provided the facility and oversees daily management and operational costs. Partnership for Change renovated and furnished the centre and trained childcare staff.
© ILO/Homa M. Ejeta
Investing in care, investing in equality
Launched just ahead of International Women's Day, the daycare centre highlights the strong link between care systems and gender equality.
The ILO emphasized that the facility serves as a model that can be replicated in other sub-cities, regions and countries, supporting families and advancing women's economic empowerment, while promoting decent work for childcare workers.
By investing in childcare, partners are investing in decent work, stronger communities and the development of children who will shape Ethiopia's future.
The Gulele daycare centre stands as a clear example of how coordinated partnerships can deliver practical, lasting solutions that improve lives and expand opportunity.
About the Project
The ILO project, Promoting Workers' Rights and Gender Equality at Work in Africa-Phase II, is funded by NORAD to enhance workers' rights and gender equality in Ethiopia, focusing Focused on Ethiopia's garment, agriculture, and domestic work sectors. A key objective of the project is to enhance gender equality at work by building the capacities of ILO constituents to promote workers' rights, particularly for those with family responsibilities, through improved maternity protection, paternity and parental leave, and childcare solutions. The project also delivers awareness-raising sessions to strengthen understanding of Equality at Work initiatives at both local and national levels on relevant gender-related International Labour Standards.
