Unpaid Care Work (UCW) encompasses essential household tasks like cooking, cleaning, child-rearing, and elderly care, which sustain families, communities and Uganda's economy but remain invisible in economic metrics. In Uganda, women and girls shoulder three times more UCW than men (UBOS 2019). This restricts entry into formal jobs, education and public participation. This disparity deepens gender inequalities, perpetuates poverty cycles, and hampers inclusive socio-economic progress.
The impacts extend to Uganda's national development, as heavy UCW loads reduce workforce productivity and economic growth by pulling young girls from school for chores, fueling intergenerational poverty. This constrains the potential of a skilled, inclusive workforce critical for sectors like agriculture, which drives Uganda's GDP. Despite its foundational role, UCW stays uncounted in GDP calculations, undervaluing its relevance in policy and planning.
Addressing UCW through reduction and redistribution could transform Uganda by empowering women and girls for greater economic, educational and civic engagement. Such steps align with SDGs 5 (gender equality) and 8 (inclusive growth), boosting overall development in Uganda's agriculture-reliant economy alongside export promotion and land tenure reforms. Recognizing UCW would enhance policy visibility and support sustainable, equitable progress.
The Human Capital Development Programme under the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP-IV) emphasizes gender equality and women's empowerment, acknowledging that unpaid care work disproportionately affects women. It aims to create a supportive policy environment that values and recognizes this work. The NDP IV aims to improve access to essential services such as childcare, healthcare, and education. By providing these services, the burden of unpaid care work on women can be reduced.
For more insight on this, please visit: