By Reloaded News Desk

The Federal Government is developing a National Care Policy aimed at reducing the burden of unpaid care work and expanding economic opportunities for women.

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

The minister said women and girls continue to carry a disproportionate share of unpaid domestic and care responsibilities, limiting their opportunities in employment, education, entrepreneurship, leadership and public life.

She said inadequate access to affordable childcare and other care services forces some women, particularly those in vulnerable households, to choose between earning income and caring for family members.

The proposed policy is expected to address childcare, healthcare, disability support, elderly care and other services that form part of the country’s wider care economy.

The government also wants to improve the collection of data on unpaid care work so that its economic contribution can be better measured.

According to the minister, stronger investment in the care economy could create employment opportunities for young people, women entrepreneurs, cooperatives, social enterprises and private-sector providers.

She also called for stronger links between care policy and social protection to reduce the risk of families falling into poverty because of caregiving responsibilities.

The initiative comes amid demographic changes, urbanisation and changing family structures that are increasing demand for formal and community-based care services.

The proposed policy is intended to move care work from being treated primarily as an unpaid household responsibility toward recognition as part of Nigeria’s broader social and economic infrastructure.