Valuing and Investing in Unpaid Care and Domestic Work | Asia-Pacific Portal for Gender Equality

What is Unpaid Care and Domestic Work?

"Unpaid care and domestic work" encompasses a wide range of non-market unpaid activities performed in households, including direct care for dependents such as children, sick family members, older persons, and persons with a disability, as well as indirect care such as cooking food provisioning, cleaning, collecting fuelwood and water. The provision of care work is the foundation of human life and has an intrinsic value being the precondition for a thriving and sustainable economy with a productive workforce. 

The disproportionate share of unpaid care work on women and girls in Asia and the Pacific - who perform two to five times more unpaid care work than men - continues to limit their economic and social empowerment. This unequal distribution reinforces gender disparities in income, leadership, career advancement, and access to decision-making. Addressing this imbalance through policies that recognize, reduce, and redistribute unpaid care and domestic work is vital to achieving gender equality and unlocking women’s full economic potential.

Ethnic Minority in Mucangchai, Yenbai, Vietnam © LouisNguyen

Our Work on Unpaid Care Work

ESCAP has established itself as a regional leader in advancing the care economy through normative frameworks, country-level support, and regional collaboration. Our work aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 5 which focuses on “achieving gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls”, with a particular emphasis on target 5.4, to “recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure and social protection policies and the promotion of shared responsibility within the household and the family as nationally appropriate”.

Over the past years, ESCAP has worked with governments in Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Lao PDR, the Philippines, Timor-Leste, Thailand, and Uzbekistan to develop and implement care-sensitive policies. These efforts are grounded in ESCAP’s Model Framework for Action on the Care Economy, developed with the Institute of Development Studies, which serves as the foundation for national policy development and capacity-building across the region.

The framework offers a comprehensive approach to understanding and addressing the care economy. It emphasizes the need for a holistic set of policies across four key categories: care infrastructure, care-related social protection, care services, and employment-related care policies. Beyond these policy areas, the MFA highlights three additional components essential for designing effective, gender-responsive care policies: the political economy of care, normative principles, and the levers of change. Together, these elements provide a clear roadmap for governments and stakeholders to develop care-sensitive and gender-responsive care policies.

A core achievement of ESCAP’s technical cooperation support has been the successful support to national care policy initiatives. Cambodia and the Philippines are finalizing their National Action Plans on the Care Economy, incorporating policy entry points identified through ESCAP-supported consultations and aligned with gender-responsive budgeting frameworks. In Indonesia, ESCAP supported a national consultation that informed the adoption implementation of a Roadmap on the Care Economy (2025–2045). In the Philippines, subnational consultations led to the adoption of a provincial-level Care Ordinance in Quinapondan, Eastern Samar, with interest from 23 other local governments to replicate the initiative. ESCAP also contributed technical expertise to China’s first care economy policy roundtable in collaboration with Peking University.

At the sub-regional level, ESCAP played a key role in supporting the ASEAN Declaration on Strengthening the Care Economy and Fostering Resilience Towards the Post-2025 ASEAN Community, including drafting technical inputs, facilitating consultations, and organizing multistakeholder workshops and forums. Through ESCAP’s engagement, a structured and holistic approach to care economy issues are now more prominently featured in ASEAN’s gender equality agenda and linked to broader recovery, resilience, and economic inclusion efforts.

Cambodia

In Cambodia, ESCAP collaborated with IDS and the Ministry of Women’s Affairs Cambodia to conduct a national study of the care economy in Cambodia. ESCAP was invited to present the paper at a National Public Forum in Phnom Penh in September 2022. ESCAP also supported the development of a national framework for action through inter-ministerial and stakeholder consultations led by the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, namely the National Public Forum on Advancing Women Entrepreneurship in ASEAN through Family Care and Social Protection Policies. In August 2023, ESCAP successfully concluded a capacity building workshop on the care economy for more than 30 officials for the Ministry of Women’s Affairs. During this event, participants shared learning, best practices and discussed the way forward for Cambodia to address the care economy. This capacity-building event was followed by a three-day national consultation on valuing and investing in unpaid care and domestic work convened by ESCAP and Ministry of Women’s Affairs Cambodia. During this consultation ESCAP introduced the model framework for action to relevant line ministries and held one-on-one consultations with each line ministry to identify areas for potential collaboration to implement a plan for each of these policy priority issues. Following the consultation, ESCAP will support Cambodia in drafting a national action plan on the care economy.

The Philippines

In the Philippines, ESCAP partnered with Oxfam to support advocacy and capacity building efforts of relevant line ministries, conducting online training sessions. In addition, ESCAP collaborated with the Philippines Commission on Women (PCW), to conduct a national study on care economy concerns, and co-organized a CSW65 side event in 2021 bringing further attention to unpaid care work. ESCAP was also invited to present the study at a National Statistical Conference in the Philippines in October 2022. In September 2023, the Philippine National Consultation on valuing and investing in unpaid care and domestic work was jointly convened by PCW, ESCAP, and Oxfam Pilipinas, with support from the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement. Participants, including both governmental and non-governmental entities, assessed current conditions and identified potential areas for joint interventions aimed at valuing and investing in the care economy in the Philippines, promoting women’s economic empowerment and participation in the labour force, and advancing the collection of gender data. The outcome of this national consultation resulted in a set of recommendations aligned with the discussions, guiding future actions for accelerated action in these areas.

Group photo at the Subnational Care Consultation, Philippines

As a follow-up to the Philippines national consultation, ESCAP conducted a subnational consultation in Ormoc City in the Philippines, jointly with the National Economic Development Authority-Region 8, the Philippine Commission on Women, the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement and Oxfam Pilipinas. The consultation served as a critical platform for exchanging knowledge and ideas, with a particular focus on:

Data and Evidence Building in Care
Care and Climate Nexus
Local Policies to Recognize, Reduce and Redistribute Unpaid Care and Domestic Work.

Provincial Care Summit , February 13 2024, Borongan City,
Eastern Samar

The outcome of the national consultation was a set of recommendations on areas for accelerated action, in line with the consultation discussions. These recommendations contributed to the drafting of a provincial level care ordinance which has now passed its third reading at the provincial level general assembly. It is set to be entered into local legislation following a final public hearing in early 2024.

China

The Roundtable on China Care Economy Policy Actions and International Cooperation was jointly convened by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the Center for International Knowledge on Development (CIKD). The roundtable served as a critical platform to deliberate on the pressing issues surrounding the care economy, especially the disproportionate care burden for women, in the contexts of current and emerging megatrends such as population ageing and the shrinking labour force. It also aimed to solicit inputs on how these issues could be addressed by more proactive policy solutions in China that could contribute to more inclusive, just and sustainable growth.

The roundtable was part of the project “Advancing gender equality through recognizing, reducing and redistributing unpaid care work of women and girls in Asia and the Pacific”, implemented by ESCAP’s Social Development Division under the China-ESCAP Cooperation Programme. This project aimed to provide technical support to governments in four Asia-Pacific countries (i.e., Cambodia, China, Indonesia and the Philippines) to design and implement policy initiatives at the national/subnational level that recognize, reduce and redistribute the unpaid care and domestic work responsibilities of women and girls and promote the enhanced participation of women in the labour force. Such policy initiatives may include the development and scaling up of national investment in care infrastructure, care services, gender-responsive social protection measures, as well as employment-related care policies.

Lao PDR

The Lao PDR National Consultation on Valuing Unpaid Care and Domestic Work and Investing in the Care Economy was jointly convened by the Lao Women's Union (LWU), the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), and Oxfam in Laos.

The objective of the national consultation was to serve as an interactive forum for key stakeholders to examine ways to accelerate progress and adopt care policies at the national level. It offered all stakeholders an opportunity to take stock of, as well as consider, possible areas for joint interventions to value and invest in the care economy in Lao PDR; promote women’s economic empowerment and participation in the labor force; and further advance the availability of timely, relevant, and comprehensive sex-disaggregated data and gender-related information.

The consultation served as a critical platform for exchanging knowledge and ideas, with a particular focus on:

Increasing awareness and understanding of the importance of the care economy in Lao PDR.
Exploring innovative approaches, best practices, and successful models from national and international contexts of care policy ecosystems that address gendered inequalities in the care economy.
Fostering partnerships across government ministries and departments to collaborate towards a comprehensive and holistic ‘whole of government’ approach to recognize, reduce, and redistribute paid and unpaid care domestic work.
Identifying entry points for policy change (social, economic, and legislative aspects) to utilize for a concerted and coordinated implementation of care-focused policy measures, integrating both short and long-term considerations.

The outcome of the national consultation resulted in the identification of entry points for policy action on the care economy in Lao PDR.

Indonesia

The Indonesia National Consultation on Valuing and Investing in the Care Economy: Charting the Way Forward in Indonesia was jointly convened on 17 September 2024 by the Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection (MoWECP) of Indonesia, ESCAP, the World Bank and UN Women. The consultation served as a critical and interactive platform for multi-stakeholder dialogue to discuss priorities and strategies on the best ways forward on the Indonesian Care Economy Roadmap and National Action Plan, including within the context of the development priorities of the Government of Indonesia, as stipulated in its Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) for 2025-2029. During the consultation, participants underscored the importance of enhancing coordination among relevant ministries to streamline efforts and ensure the successful implementation of the care economy roadmap. They also discussed the need for sufficient budget allocation to support the expansion and sustainability of care services, while ensuring financial backing for care-related programs and infrastructure. Additionally, participants highlighted that strengthening data collection is crucial for developing evidence-based policies.

Timor-Leste

Upcoming nationals consultations are planned in Timor-Leste (2025) to contribute to the formulation of policy initiatives addressing care-related issues.

ASEAN

ESCAP leverages its influential convening power to unite stakeholders and foster regional cooperation to address the care economy. In July 2023, ESCAP, in collaboration with the ASEAN Committee on Women (ACW), through Lao PDR as incumbent ACW Chair, Oxfam, and the ASEAN Secretariat, convened the Regional Forum on Care Work in ASEAN Countries. The forum yielded a set of recommendations that identify areas for accelerated action to value and invest in unpaid care and domestic work. These recommendations were then shared for the consideration of Indonesia as the 2023 ASEAN Chair and Lao PDR as the 2024 ASEAN Chair. Following the forum, ESCAP also continued the strengthening of targeted projects on the care economy with governmental institutions in Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Lao PDR, supporting capacity-building efforts of key stakeholders and the development of national frameworks for action.

Please find videos of the Regional Forum on Care Work in ASEAN Countries here.

AWLS — Panel Discussion at the ASEAN Women Leaders' Summit, August 2024

The ASEAN Declaration on Strengthening the Care Economy and Fostering Resilience Towards the Post-2025 ASEAN Community

The 3rd ASEAN Women Leaders’ Summit was convened by the Government of Lao PDR on 23 August 2024 under the theme “Strengthening Care Economy and Resilience Towards ASEAN Community Post-2025”. ESCAP, along with various development partners, hosted a series of multistakeholder capacity building events and learning exchanges during pre-Summit events held on 21-22 August that delved deeper into the Summit’s theme. At the Summit, the ASEAN Committee on Women endorsed the “ASEAN Declaration on Strengthening the Care Economy and Fostering Resilience Towards the Post-2025 ASEAN Community”. The Declaration was later adopted by ASEAN Member States at the ASEAN Summit in October 2024. The Declaration aligns with the four policy categories of ESCAP’s Model Framework for Action on the Care Economy and calls on governments to implement a comprehensive set of policies that address care infrastructure, social protection, care services, and employment.

The ASEAN Declaration on Strengthening the Care Economy and Fostering Resilience Towards the Post-2025 ASEAN Community

The CSW69 side event “Care at the Core: ASEAN Leadership in Advancing Gender Equality through the Care Economy”

On 13 March 2025, the CSW69 side event “Care at the Core: ASEAN Leadership in Advancing Gender Equality through the Care Economy” was organized by the Lao Women’s Union, the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) of Malaysia, ASEAN, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), and Oxfam. This event provided a unique global platform to showcase ASEAN’s leadership, foster South-South cooperation, and advance interregional learning on care economy solutions. CSW69, marking 30 years since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, served as a pivotal moment to highlight ASEAN’s contributions in achieving SDG 5.4 and driving transformative change in the global care economy.

Please find more information about the event here.

Research and advocacy

ESCAP has been at the forefront of research and knowledge production related to the care economy and has produced a suite of strategic knowledge products and toolkits, including:

These resources have been complemented by capacity-building workshops, learning exchanges, and the development of induction modules for line ministries in countries such as Cambodia, Timor-Leste and Lao PDR. In Lao PDR, tailored resource packs were distributed for consultations, and a national consultation workshop resulted in the identification of priority policy actions for a care economy roadmap.

ESCAP has also convened and contributed to major regional and global platforms to elevate the care agenda. At CSW69, ESCAP organized the side event Care at the Core, where ASEAN leaders—including from Lao PDR and Timor-Leste—shared national progress. Another high-level side event, Transforming Care Systems for a Changing World: A South-South Dialogue, amplified regional voices and built momentum for global collaboration. At the 2024 Asia-Pacific Care Champions event, 30 champions were recognized for their work in care innovation, policy, and advocacy, underscoring the transformative potential of multistakeholder leadership. ESCAP’s work has catalyzed new partnerships, including with Oxfam in Asia, the Global Alliance for Care, and the ASEAN Committee on Women. ESCAP also commemorates the International Day of Care and Support, and regularly releases blogs and social media features to spotlight progress, share stories, and inspire action.

Through sustained advocacy, tailored technical support, high-level policy engagement, and a robust suite of knowledge products, ESCAP remains at the forefront of efforts to value and invest in the care economy - laying the foundation for gender-equal, inclusive, and sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific.