One key, though overlooked, area where Global Gateway Strategy can foster inclusive development and sustainable investments in critical sectors is the care economy. The care economy – paid and unpaid labour and services that enable
caregiving in all its forms – is the backbone of the economy and integral to a conducive business and investment climate.
In this two-pager on the Care Economy and Global Gateway, the GG ICR Facility elaborates on:
- Why care policies are an economic policy lever for business and investment climate reform
- How the care economy can accelerate women’s economic empowerment and improve the overal business environment
- Its technical assistance offer and past projects on the care economy
The Global Gateway Investment Climate Reform Facility provides short-term technical assistance to public stakeholders and private sector associations to improve the business and investment climate in their country or region.
Caribbean regional peer-to-peer exchange on the care economy
Together with the Ministry of Women’s Affairs of the Dominican Republic and the Department of Gender Affaris of Saint Lucia, we organised athree-day regional peer exchange on care policies. This event focused on socio-economic opportunities in the care economy and how to support the sector in the context of growing demand. Policymakers and private sector representatives shared lessons and best practices, with a field visit to a day care center deepening dialogue on practical implementation of care policies and more effective, cross-sector reforms.
Reforming maternity leave in Papua New Guinea
In Papua New Guinea, collaboration with the Business Coalition for Women (BCFW) aimed to ensure a gender-approach in the ongoing revisions of the Employment Act 1978 regulating labour laws. Specifically, the initiative aimed to ensure the inclusion of paid maternity leave provisions aligned with international standards. Policy briefs and advocacy efforts highlighted the economic and social benefits, seeking to create a gender-responsive business environment and improve women’s economic opportunities, and promote inclusive and sustainable business growth.
Business Environment and the Care Economy Report (2024)
Gender-responsive care policies can be powerful tools to reform the business environment in ways that positively impact women and their access to economic opportunities, such as access to quality jobs, entrepreneurship or education and professional training. A particularly important lever to improve the business environment for women is childcare policies for working parents, specifically the provision of childcare services and parental leave. Read the full report to discover key recommandations for policymakers.