International Day of Care and Support 2026: Theme, History, Global Care Economy, Significance and Challenges

Why in news?

The United Nations International Day of Care and Support is observed annually on 29 October to recognise the importance of paid and unpaid care work, promote gender equality and encourage investment in inclusive and sustainable care systems. 

Key Facts 

Why is the day observed?

• Care work is essential for the functioning of families, communities and economies including both direct care, such as looking after children, nursing sick people and assisting older persons, and indirect care, such as cooking, cleaning and other household responsibilities. However, much of this work remains unpaid or underpaid. 
• Care responsibilities are also distributed unequally, with women performing a disproportionately large share of unpaid care work. 
• The observance seeks to make this contribution visible and promote policies that ensure fair working conditions and access to quality care services. 

History and Establishment

• The United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution A/RES/77/317 on 24 July 2023, officially proclaiming 29 October as the International Day of Care and Support. The resolution was adopted without a vote. 
• The resolution calls on governments, UN organisations, civil society, businesses, academic institutions and individuals to recognise the value of care and support and invest in strong, inclusive care systems.
• It also emphasises that care policies should respect human rights and respond to the needs of women, children, older persons and persons with disabilities. 

Global Care Economy

Why is Care Work important for Gender Equality?

• Unpaid care responsibilities can limit women’s opportunities to pursue education, employment, entrepreneurship and leadership roles. 
• When household and caregiving responsibilities fall disproportionately on women, their participation in the formal economy may be restricted.
• The UN resolution therefore calls for the recognition, reduction and redistribution of unpaid care work. 
• This includes improving public services, strengthening social protection and encouraging the equal sharing of responsibilities between women and men. 

Significance 

• Economic significance: Care services support the functioning of the wider economy. Investment in childcare, healthcare and elderly care can also create employment opportunities.
• Social significance: Affordable and accessible care services can improve the well-being of children, older persons, persons with disabilities and other people requiring assistance.
• Gender equality: Recognising unpaid care work can help reduce the unequal burden of domestic responsibilities and expand women's economic opportunities.
• Workers' rights: Paid caregivers, nurses, domestic workers and other care professionals need fair wages, social protection, safe working conditions and decent employment.

Relevance for India

• Care and support are important policy concerns for India because families, community networks and formal service providers all contribute to caring for children, older persons, people with disabilities and those who are ill.
• Key areas for policy attention include:
  • Childcare services: Improving the availability and quality of childcare facilities to support children's development and parents' participation in employment.
  • Elderly care: Expanding accessible and affordable care services as the population ages.
  • Care workers' welfare: Strengthening training, fair remuneration, workplace safety and social protection for care professionals and domestic workers.
  • Shared household responsibilities: Encouraging a more equal distribution of unpaid domestic and caregiving work.

Linkages with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Challenges in the Care Economy

• Invisible work: Unpaid domestic and caregiving activities are often undervalued and inadequately reflected in economic statistics.
• Gender inequality: Women continue to perform a disproportionate share of unpaid care work.
• Poor working conditions: Some paid care workers face low wages, limited social protection and inadequate workplace safeguards.
• Unequal access: Quality care services may be unaffordable or unavailable, particularly in underserved communities.
• Ageing populations: Increasing demand for long-term care requires stronger public services, trained workers and sustainable financing. 

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