Despite women’s substantial contribution to the performance of domestic and care work, it has to be said that this important role they play in building household well-being goes unrecognized and remains almost ignored. This state of affairs is at the root of many forms of inequality.

This is the aim of the “Supporting evidence-based policymaking on care work” project, funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and Global Affairs Canada, and carried out by the Consortium Régional pour la Recherche en Économie Générationnelle (CREG)- Population Reference Bureau (PRB) coalition and non-governmental organizations: Association d’Aide au Développement des Femmes du Bénin (AADEF-Bénin) and Association Cœur Solidaire (ACS), based in Benin and Togo respectively.

This innovative project, whose implementation phase was launched on October 01, 2024, aims to support policy reform through high-level dialogues that will provide a framework for addressing the issue of unpaid domestic and care work. These dialogues will also enable evidence-based data on the care economy to be shared with target audiences made up of Parliamentarians, Civil Society and Policy Makers. This will not only address the issue, but above all initiate a dialogue aimed at reaching a consensus and building a community of practice that is sufficiently knowledgeable and informed to take the debate to the highest levels of decision-making.

Ultimately, this project will serve to create a framework for developing evidence-based policies in favor of the recognition of unpaid domestic and care work and, above all, social protection. The aim is to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth in the target countries.

The project, which will run for 24 months, is both promising and hopeful. In addition to creating spaces for dialogue, it will have an impact on national economies and the well-being of populations.

This project also represents an opportunity to strengthen evidence-based policy discussions.

In terms of major impact, this project will make a major contribution insofar as it will encourage political leaders and other stakeholders to better follow up on the commitments made in the African Union Roadmap on Gender and Demography, in terms of national planning and budgeting.

On this #InternationalCareDay, CREG, in its coalition with PRB, ADEEF and ACS, and thanks to the support of IDRC and Global Affairs Canada, reaffirms its commitment to the recognition of unpaid domestic and care work in Benin and Togo. Together, we are working to strengthen evidence-based policies for better social protection. Thanks to all our partners for their continued support.

Fair wind to this innovative initiative!

#InnovationsInCareAtScale #CareEconomy #GenderEquality