Resource Collection: Elevating Unpaid Care Work as a Policy Priority in Francophone West and Central Africa

Care is fundamental to healthy societies, productive economies, and sustainable development. Yet much of the work that sustains children, older adults, people with disabilities, households, and communities remains unpaid, unmeasured, and largely invisible in public policy and investment decisions. Across Francophone West and Central Africa, demographic change—including rapid population growth, urbanization, and population aging—is reshaping the demand for and supply of care while highlighting the need for stronger care systems. This presents an opportunity to integrate care into economic policymaking, demographic dividend strategies, and public investment.

This resource collection centers on PRB’s report, Elevating Unpaid Care Work as a Policy Priority in Francophone West and Central Africa, together with audience-specific policy briefs that translate its findings into practical guidance for parliamentarians, technical ministries, researchers and statistical institutions, donors, civil society organizations, local governments, and media. Together, these resources demonstrate why recognizing, reducing, and redistributing unpaid care work is essential for advancing gender equality, strengthening human capital, and promoting inclusive economic growth. All resources in this collection are available in both English and French.

Featured Report

Elevating Unpaid Care Work as a Policy Priority in Francophone West and Central Africa

Provides an evidence-based analysis of how unpaid care work shapes human capital, gender equality, labor markets, and the region’s ability to harness the demographic dividend. Drawing on demographic trends, economic analysis, and policy evidence, the report examines the structural drivers of unpaid care work, analyzes emerging pressures on care systems, and identifies policy actions to strengthen care systems and integrate care into economic and demographic planning.

Policy Briefs

Parliamentarians: Parliament’s Role in Responding to Demographic and Development Challenges

Explains how legislation, budgeting, and oversight can strengthen care systems and support long-term development.

Technical Ministries: Making Better Planning Decisions in a Changing Demographic Context

Shows how ministries can incorporate care evidence into planning, budgeting, and investment decisions.

Researchers and Statistical Institutions: Research, Data, and Policy: Making Care Visible in Public Decisions

Explains why measuring unpaid care work is essential for stronger statistics, better evidence, and more effective policymaking.

Donors: Closing a Systemic Blind Spot: Why Donors Are Strategic Actors in Strengthening Care Systems

Highlights how development partners can strengthen care systems while increasing the impact of their investments.

Civil Society Organizations: Making Care Systems Visible: The Role of Civil Society in Accountability and Development

Shows how advocacy, accountability, and community engagement can make care a public policy priority.

Local Governments: Why Local Governments Matter for Care, Productivity, and Inclusion

Explains how local services and infrastructure shape care responsibilities, economic participation, and community well-being.

Media: From Data to Public Debate: The Role of Media in Shaping Care Narratives

Provides guidance for reporting on care as an economic, demographic, and development issue.