The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to developing a National Care Policy aimed at unlocking women’s economic potential, reducing the burden of unpaid care work and promoting inclusive national development.

Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Women Affairs, stated this at the National Care Sector Development Workshop on the Care Digital Platform and Draft National Care Policy Economy Summit on Wednesday in Abuja.

Mrs Sulaiman-Ibrahim, represented by the ministry’s permanent secretary, Esuabana Nko-Asanye, said the initiative reflected Nigeria’s commitment to inclusive economic growth, social development, women’s economic empowerment and the wellbeing of families and communities.

According to her, women and girls continue to shoulder a disproportionate share of unpaid care and domestic responsibilities, limiting their opportunities in education, employment, entrepreneurship, leadership and public life.

She noted that the lack of affordable childcare and other care services forced many women, especially those in poor and vulnerable households, to choose between earning an income and caring for their families.

“Nigeria cannot fully realise the productive potential of its women if millions remain constrained by unequal care responsibilities.

“This is not simply a women’s issue. It is an issue of economic efficiency, social justice and national development.

“We must move from viewing care as an invisible household obligation to recognising it as an essential component of our national economic infrastructure,” she said.

Mrs Sulaiman-Ibrahim said Nigeria’s changing demographics, rapid urbanisation and evolving family structures had increased demand for childcare, healthcare, disability support and elderly care services.

She added that strengthening the care economy would expand early childhood development services, childcare centres, community and home-based care, while creating employment opportunities for young people, women entrepreneurs, cooperatives, social enterprises and private-sector providers.

The minister described the care economy as an essential foundation of society that had remained undervalued and underinvested despite its enormous contribution to human development and economic productivity.

She stressed the need to recognise the economic value of unpaid caregivers and improve data collection to accurately measure unpaid care work and its contribution to Nigeria’s economy.

According to her, caregivers deserve protection, dignity and decent livelihoods.

She also underscored the need to strengthen the link between care policy and social protection to prevent families from falling into poverty because of caregiving responsibilities.

She identified child benefits, cash transfers, disability support, maternity protection and other family-support mechanisms as critical interventions to reduce the economic burden of care on vulnerable households.

Mrs Sulaiman-Ibrahim reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to advancing policies and programmes that strengthen early childhood development, childcare systems, care services, social protection and women’s economic empowerment.

She said building a sustainable care economy would require collaboration across government institutions, development partners, academia, civil society and the private sector.

She urged stakeholders to use the summit to build partnerships, develop practical recommendations and mobilise investments that would translate into measurable results.

“As we move forward, let this summit mark a new chapter in Nigeria’s approach to care by placing it at the centre of our national development agenda.

“Together, let us build a Nigerian care economy that values people, supports families, creates decent work, empowers women and leaves no one behind,” she said. 

(NAN)