Two years after the ratification of the International Day of Care and Support by the United Nations General Assembly, Kenya observed the global annual event with a clear commitment to invest in a resilient and inclusive care economy.
Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Gender, Culture and Children Services, Hanna Wendot Cheptumo while presiding over the ceremony hailed care work as the invisible pillar of the society that guarantees the well-being of care-dependent groups especially children, elderly persons and persons living with disability.
CS Cheptumo observed that not only does decent care work enable children to thrive, it also ensures dignity and respect among those requiring care. The commemoration of International Day of Care and Support in Kenya comes at an opportune time when the government is proactively strengthening legislative mechanisms to improve the care economy.
Through the stewardship of the State Department for Gender Affairs and Affirmative Action, a draft national care policy has been developed with an aim of strengthening family and community-based care by implementing care-friendly systems to support the economy, promote equality and ensure that caregivers are fairly compensated.
The overall goal of the policy is to recognize and value care work as a cornerstone of human development, promote shared responsibility for care among gender, within families, the community and society and across the nation.
International Day of Care and Support seeks to raise awareness of the critical role of care work and advocate for better support systems and interests for both paid and unpaid care workers, rallying governments to invest in the care economy. The 2025 celebration was observed under the theme, “Care and Support for All: Realizing human rights of all those providing and requiring care and support”.
Government agencies, the private sector, civil society organizations and development partners came together to reaffirm their commitment to advancing inclusive and equitable care environment.