Reducing and Redistributing the Burden of Unpaid Care Work for Development in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Sub-Saharan Africa is mostly affected by political instability, insecurity, and conflict, where the unpaid care burden often intensifies. The purpose of the study was to identify the main causes, consequences and strategies of unpaid care work for development in Sub-Saharan Africa. The study adopted mixed methods research design by combining quantitative and qualitative research methods. The findings of this study reflect the current state of unpaid care work in Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting the extent to which it affects economic participation, social development, and gender equality. The central contribution of this study is that unpaid care work remains a critical barrier to gender equality and sustainable development in Sub-Saharan Africa. The research demonstrated that women disproportionately shoulder the burden of caregiving, limiting their participation in the formal economy. To solve the issue of gender inequality, the researcher proposed to use theoretical frameworks such as Gender and Development Theory (GAD) which emphasize the need for policy interventions to address gendered social norms that assign caregiving tasks predominantly to women. Though some efforts have been made by public and private institutions, much more needs to be done to reduce and redistribute the care burden. There is a clear call for Government intervention in the form of affordable childcare and elderly care services. New policies and collaboration between the public and private sectors and the Faith-Based and Civil Society Organizations are necessary to address the problem of unpaid care work in this region. Encouraging greater male involvement in unpaid care work may also bridge some of the gender disparities over time. Faith-Based Organizations and Private Sector should continue to play their pivotal role with the Governments in Sub-Saharan Africa.