Morocco has become the first country in the Arab region and the second in Africa to adopt a national strategy dedicated to the care economy and care work, marking a significant step towards advancing gender equality, creating decent jobs, expanding social protection and fostering inclusive growth. Developed under the leadership of the Ministry of Solidarity, Social Integration, and Family (MSISF), in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UN Women, the strategy builds on a multi-year process of evidence generation, policy dialogue and technical assistance.
In response to an ageing population, changing family structures and growing demand for care services, the strategy includes measures covering the entire life cycle, including early childhood, maternity protection, paternity protection and parental leave, older persons, persons with disabilities, and people in situations of dependency or vulnerability.
The strategy was presented at a national conference attended by government representatives, social partners, the private sector, development partners and civil society organizations.
The strategy was presented at a national conference attended by government representatives, social partners, the private sector, development partners and civil society organizations. It sets out a coordinated approach covering the entire life cycle and aims to position care as a pillar of the Kingdom's social and economic development.
© UN Women / ILO
Speaking at the launch, Ms Naïma Ben Yahia, Minister of Solidarity, Social Integration and Family, said: "The launch of this strategy reflects the High Solicitude of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, for building a strong social State, drawing on Morocco's unique strengths, national achievements and the Kingdom's international commitments. This strategy is the culmination of a participatory process and aims to transform care from a responsibility borne primarily by families, particularly women, into a shared responsibility that contributes to the creation of decent jobs, women's economic empowerment, the professionalization of care occupations, the development of community-based services and improved care for the populations concerned, making the care economy a genuine driver of inclusive and sustainable development."
Beyond Morocco, the initiative offers a new pathway for countries across the region to respond to demographic change while creating decent jobs, expanding access to social protection, strengthening gender equality, recognizing unpaid care work and fostering more inclusive growth.
The launch comes in the wake of World Youth Skills Day and highlights the critical role of skills development in professionalizing care occupations, improving service quality and responding to growing demand for skilled workers.
© UN Women / ILO
"Morocco is now the first country in the Arab region and second country in Africa to include care work and the care economy in a national strategy. We hope that this initiative will pave the way for other countries in the region, because investing in care is an investment in decent work, equality, fair labour markets, sustainable development and resilient economies," said Chidi King, Chief of the Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Branch of the International Labour Organization.
For UN Women, investing in the care economy is also a key lever for accelerating gender equality.
"Care can no longer be treated as a private responsibility borne primarily by women. It must be recognized as a public good, an essential service, a source of decent employment, and a pillar of inclusive and resilient economies. This strategy is a significant step forward for Morocco and for our shared vision of transforming care systems as a foundation for equality, dignity and sustainable development," said Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and Deputy Executive Director for UN Women.
According to the analyses underpinning the strategy, ambitious investment in the care economy could contribute to the creation of substantial numbers of jobs by 2035, while increasing women's labour force participation and improving access to quality care services.
Looking ahead
The Ministry of Solidarity, Social Integration and Family of the Kingdom of Morocco is committed to implementing an integrated and sustainable national care system, in line with the Royal Vision to build a more equitable, efficient and sustainable social state for Morocco and to share its experience internationally.
The International Labour Organization will continue to support the Government of Morocco in implementing the National Strategy for the Promotion of the Care Economy and Care Work, in line with the International Labour Conference Resolution concerning decent work and the care economy, the 5R Framework for Decent Care Work, and the Decent Work Agenda.
UN Women will continue to support Morocco in strengthening care systems, advancing the recognition, reduction and redistribution of unpaid care work, and promoting decent paid employment in the care sector as a foundation for gender equality, women's economic empowerment and inclusive, resilient economies.
