Recognising the need to bridge the care gap in Africa, Caring Africa is building the care infrastructure necessary for business and economic growth. This will foster gender equity and formalise the care economy for a sustainable society.

Through advocacy for equitable care policies, they have continued to empower workplaces and communities to unlock Africa’s full potential.

The summit, which will be held on February 23, 2024, at the Alliance Francaise, Ikoyi, Lagos, will be hosted by Mother Honestly Worklife.

The Summit will bring together key stakeholders in the public and private sector to drive the conversation around care for families at home, in the workplace and communities.

The Care Africa Summit would be showcasing exemplary organisations that prioritise and implement effective care practices, offering valuable insights and inspiration to businesses, policymakers and international organisations that would attend it. It also aims to seek collaborations and support from policymakers, legislators, international organisations and non-governmental organisations to strengthen the impact of the care-focused initiatives and the creation of a supportive legislative framework in Nigeria.

According to the Executive Director of Caring Africa, Blessing Adesiyan, proper conversation on the state of the healthcare sector was long overdue, and the Care Africa Summit presented the perfect opportunity.
“This summit is more than a conference; it’s a movement towards building a future where care is integrated seamlessly into the fabric of our professional and personal lives, enabling growth, equity and well-being,” she said.

Adesiyan revealed that the organisation has the sole objective of improving the general awareness on healthcare across various socio-economic groups.

“We are powering care for women, workplaces and economies in Africa and beyond. Our goal for 2024 is to raise awareness on the importance of valuing care, and those who provide care that enables the rest of us to do other types of work. It’s time to elevate care in our homes, workplaces and communities,” she added.

She also noted that when adequate attention is given to care, it could have a positive ripple effect on economic growth and financing. “When we invest in care, the benefits go beyond numbers; it’s also the wellbeing of children, elderly, disabled and the ill.

“However, it also allows other economic activities to function properly, which means, working age adults can contribute effectively to the economy due to adequate care infrastructure. In the U.S., the care economy has been valued at over $650 billion and this does not include healthcare. When we look at the potential worldwide, according to Oxfam, women and young girls around the world are losing $10.9 trillion yearly providing labour for free. When we start to value this care, we can reduce, redistribute and monetise this labour,” she added.

She reiterated that the wellbeing of a nation should always remain at the top of its priorities, due to its level of impact on virtually every sector.

“The outcomes of care contribute to the fundamental wellbeing of an organisation or that of a nation. We can no longer ignore it. Care is the engine that drives our businesses and our economy behind the scenes,” she said.