NASSCO Boss Highlights Nigeria’s Policy Framework on Care Economy at UN Women Workshop

NASSCO Boss Highlights Nigeria’s Policy Framework on Care Economy at UN Women Workshop

The National Programme Coordinator of the National Social Safety-Net Coordinating Office (NASSCO), Dr. Funmi Olotu delivered a compelling presentation at the UN Women Care Economy Workshop held in Abuja, yesterday. Her powerful presentation, which was delivered by her Special Assistant, Ms. Tolu Ebun centered on Nigeria’s policy framework and government-led initiatives supporting the recognition, redistribution, and reduction of unpaid care work as a vital pathway to gender equality and economic empowerment.

In her address, Ms. Ebun, who represented the NASSCO National Coordinator at the forum, emphasized the Nigerian government’s commitment to acknowledging the value of unpaid care work, often shouldered disproportionately by women, as essential for building a more inclusive economy.

According to her submission, the policy framework she outlined focuses on recognising and elevating the importance of unpaid care work, creating awareness around its economic value, and ensuring it is integrated into national policies and discourse.

She also opined that promoting a fairer division of unpaid care responsibilities among all segments of society, including families, communities, and public institutions, to balance workloads and support gender equality will be the best decision whilst implementing initiatives that lessen the burden of unpaid care work through infrastructure improvements, accessible social services, and support systems.

Ms. Ebun expressed gratitude for the leadership and guidance of Dr. Funmi Olotu, under whose vision and direction NASSCO continues to develop transformative programs for social protection. She remarked, “Through these efforts, we hope to create an environment where both women and men can fully participate in the workforce, leading to greater economic productivity and a more balanced society.”

The workshop facilitated inspiring discussions among policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders on actionable steps to bolster the care economy in Nigeria. Ms. Ebun’s insights highlighted the nation’s dedication to advancing gender equality, setting a standard for collaborative efforts that empower women economically and support sustainable social development.