ESCWA Publication: E/ESCWA/CL2.GPID/2025/TP.9
Country: Arab region, Arab Republic of Egypt, Lebanese Republic, Kingdom of Morocco, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Publication Type: Information material
Cluster: Gender Justice, Population and Inclusive Development
Focus Area: Gender equality, Inclusive development, Future of employment, Natural resource sustainability
Initiatives: Reducing inequalities, Job creation, Women’s economic empowerment, Care systems for women’s economic participation
SDGs: Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being, Goal 5: Gender Equality, Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Keywords: Arab countries, Care economy, Care of ageing persons, Caregivers, Case studies, Child care, Decent work, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, Saudi arabia, Sex differentials, Sustainable development, Unpaid work, Women in development, Women's employment
Gender-diverse care sectors: A path to equitable and sustainable development
September 2025
Care is the invisible engine powering economies and societies, vital for dignity and well-being, yet persistently undervalued and disproportionately shouldered by women. In the Arab region, this imbalance in unpaid and undervalued care responsibilities limits women’s participation in the labour force, reinforces gender disparities, and confines them to informal or low-paying care roles. Driven by unmet childcare demands, demographic shifts, ageing populations and mounting pressures from climate change and conflict, care needs are rapidly escalating, placing additional strain on already limited systems across the region. Despite its potential as a key job creator, the paid care sector remains underdeveloped, unable to meet rising needs or support caregivers’ transitions into other fields, including emerging sectors like technology. This moment of urgency is also one of opportunity.
Advancing a gender-diverse care economy that actively involves both women and men and is grounded in decent work standards, offers a powerful pathway to break this cycle of exclusion and unlock women’s economic potential. To realize this potential, care must no longer be feminized or perceived solely as a sector for women. Enhancing the sector through fair wages, job security and professional growth not only elevates the value of care work but also attracts a more diverse workforce — including more men — breaking stereotypes and ensuring higher retention and care quality.
Related content
Gender equality, Inclusive development, Future of employment, Natural resource sustainability
Care is the invisible engine powering economies and societies, vital for dignity and well-being, yet persistently undervalued and disproportionately shouldered by women. In the Arab region, this imbalance in unpaid and undervalued care responsibilities limits women’s participation in the labour force, reinforces gender disparities, and confines them to informal or low-paying care roles. Driven by unmet childcare demands, demographic shifts, ageing populations and mounting pressures from climate change and conflict, care needs are rapidly escalating, placing additional strain on already limited systems across the region. Despite its potential as a key job creator, the paid care sector remains underdeveloped, unable to meet rising needs or support caregivers’ transitions into other fields, including emerging sectors like technology. This moment of urgency is also one of opportunity.
Advancing a gender-diverse care economy that actively involves both women and men and is grounded in decent work standards, offers a powerful pathway to break this cycle of exclusion and unlock women’s economic potential. To realize this potential, care must no longer be feminized or perceived solely as a sector for women. Enhancing the sector through fair wages, job security and professional growth not only elevates the value of care work but also attracts a more diverse workforce — including more men — breaking stereotypes and ensuring higher retention and care quality.
