International Day of Care and Support: Celebrating Compassion, Advocacy, and Inclusive Systems for Global Well-Being and Health

International Day of Care and Support: A Global Observance for Recognizing, Reducing, and Redistributing Unpaid and Paid Care Work

The International Day of Care and Support, observed annually on October 29, is a United Nations-designated global observance that recognizes the profound importance of all care work, both paid and unpaid, in sustaining healthy societies and economies. Established by the UN General Assembly in 2023, this day responds to the urgent need to address a growing global care crisis, driven by ageing populations, changing family structures, and persistent gender inequalities in labour markets. It serves as a powerful reminder that care and support are not merely private responsibilities but fundamental pillars of human dignity, social cohesion, and sustainable development. The day aims to transform how the world values, distributes, and rewards the essential work of nurturing and supporting one another, calling for robust investments in care systems that are gender-responsive, disability-inclusive, and age-sensitive.

The Unseen Backbone: Understanding Care Work

At its core, care work consists of the myriad activities that allow individuals and societies to develop and thrive. The United Nations and the International Labour Organization (ILO) categorize this work into two overlapping types: direct, personal and relational care activities, such as feeding a child or nursing an ill partner; and indirect care activities, such as cooking and cleaning . This work is further divided into two crucial, yet often undervalued, spheres: unpaid and paid care work.

Unpaid care work is provided without a monetary reward, typically within households and families. It includes tasks like child-rearing, caring for elderly relatives, and managing the home. Despite being the foundation that enables all other economic activity, this work is largely invisible in traditional economic measurements like GDP. The burden of this work is disproportionately carried by women, who perform 76.2% of the total amount of unpaid care work—3.2 times more than men . The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that these unpaid contributions to health care alone equate to 2.35% of global GDP, or a staggering US$1.5 trillion every year. This immense burden often forces women to trade their paid work, leisure, and rest time, limiting their opportunities for education, economic participation, and personal development .

Paid care work, on the other hand, is performed for pay or profit by care workers. This diverse group includes nurses, teachers, doctors, personal care workers, and domestic workers who provide both direct and indirect care in households . The care economy is one of the fastest-growing sectors globally, as demand for childcare and care for the elderly increases in all regions. It is predicted to create a great number of jobs in the coming years. However, this work is often characterized by a void of benefits and protections, low wages, and exposure to physical, mental, and sometimes sexual harm. A significant majority—67% of workers in the global health and care sector are women, meaning the sector's challenges are deeply intertwined with gender inequality .

Why Care Matters: The Imperative for a Global Day

The establishment of the International Day of Care and Support is a direct response to several interconnected global challenges that threaten to create an unsustainable care crisis.

First, demographic shifts are creating unprecedented demand for care. By 2030, the number of care recipients is predicted to reach 2.3 billion, driven by an additional 0.1 billion older persons and an additional 0.1 billion children . This soaring demand, if not met with adequate and quality services, will strain families and economies, particularly in the context of ageing societies.

Second, the persistent gender inequality in the distribution of care work is a central concern. The fact that women and girls shoulder the lion's share of unpaid care work is a primary driver of gender gaps in the labour market, economic autonomy, and personal well-being . This unequal distribution not only limits women's potential but also represents a significant loss of human capital for economies worldwide. As the UN states, if not adequately addressed, current deficits in care service provision "will create a severe and unsustainable global care crisis and increase gender inequalities at work" .

Finally, there is a critical need to recognize care as a human right and a public good. The global trade union movement, including the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), advocates for this framing, which includes the right to provide care, to receive care, and to self-care . This perspective shifts care from being seen as a charitable act or a private responsibility to being an essential public service and a cornerstone of social justice. Recognizing care as a right necessitates that governments, employers, and communities work together to build systems that guarantee this right for all.

Aims and Aspirations: The Objectives of the Day

The International Day of Care and Support was inaugurated to catalyze a profound transformation in how societies perceive and organize care. Its objectives, as outlined in the UN resolution and championed by various international agencies, are multifaceted.

A primary goal is to raise awareness and make care visible. The day is an occasion to educate the public and policymakers on the immense economic and social value of care work, much of which remains in the shadows . By bringing this work into the spotlight, the day seeks to foster a culture of appreciation and respect for both paid and unpaid caregivers.

Another key objective is to advocate for gender equality. The day highlights the gendered nature of care work and calls for policies that redistribute unpaid care responsibilities more equitably between men and women. This includes challenging restrictive gender norms and stereotypes that dictate who should provide care . The ultimate goal is to ensure that women's right to work and their rights at work are fully realized, free from the constraints of unequal care burdens .

Furthermore, the day serves as a global platform to promote investment in the care economy. This involves urging governments to increase public spending to create robust, resilient, and inclusive care and support systems . Such investments are not seen as a cost, but as a generator of quality jobs, economic growth, and social well-being. The ITUC emphasizes that these investments are crucial for "guaranteeing universal access to quality public health, education and care services" .

Finally, the day aims to champion decent work for care workers. This means advocating for fair wages, safe working conditions, social protections, and the right to unionize for all paid care workers, in line with international labour standards such as the ILO's Convention 189 on domestic workers . The landmark ILO Resolution on Decent Work and the Care Economy, agreed upon in June 2024, reinforces the urgency of this action .

A Global Collective: The Key Actors and Initiatives

The momentum behind the International Day of Care and Support is driven by a powerful coalition of international organizations, each contributing unique expertise and advocacy.

The United Nations is the foundational actor, having proclaimed the day through its General Assembly. Key UN agencies like UN Women, the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) play leading roles in organizing global events, producing research, and setting normative standards . The World Health Organization (WHO) brings a critical health perspective, highlighting the links between care work, health outcomes, and strong public health systems .

The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and its affiliates have been instrumental in pushing for the day and continue to be a driving force for action. They mobilize workers, lobby governments, and campaign for care to be recognized as a human right and for the formalization of decent care jobs .

A broad array of civil society organizations, think tanks, and research institutions also form an essential part of this ecosystem. Groups like the Global Alliance for Care and the Global Observatory of Long-Term Care coordinate international campaigns, share knowledge, and host events that bring together diverse voices from around the world . For instance, the Global Alliance for Care invites people to join initiatives like a collective video titled "We are the #VoicesofCare" and a 24-hour live "Care Channel" to mark the day .

From Theory to Practice: How the Day is Celebrated

The observance of the International Day of Care and Support takes many forms across the globe, creating a vibrant tapestry of activism and awareness.

Global and Regional Events: UN agencies, governments, and NGOs organize high-level discussions, forums, and conferences. For example, the UN commemorates the day with an event in Geneva, connecting efforts across global, regional, and national levels . Similarly, the Global Observatory of Long-Term Care hosts a multi-continent online event to "bust myths" about long-term care and present evidence-based alternative narratives .

Community Action and Grassroots Mobilization: At a local level, communities, trade unions, and organizations hold workshops, caregiver appreciation events, and volunteer drives. The Global Alliance for Care encourages activities like organizing a 'Care at Work Day' or creating campaigns that highlight the lived experiences of caregivers and receivers .

Digital Campaigns and Social Media: Online platforms become a hive of activity with hashtags such as #InvestInCare, #CareAndSupportDay, #Care2025, and #VoicesofCare . These campaigns are designed to spread awareness, share personal stories, and create a sense of a global movement.

Policy Advocacy and Announcements: The day often serves as a catalyst for policy change. Governments may use the occasion to announce new funding for care services, improved workplace policies, or the development of comprehensive care systems, as seen in examples like Uruguay's National Care System and Bogotá's District Care System .

The Road Ahead: The Future of Care and Support

As the International Day of Care and Support gains traction each year, its long-term vision is to embed care at the heart of a new social contract—one that prioritizes human well-being over unchecked economic growth. The theme for 2025, "Transforming Care Systems: Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals," explicitly links the care agenda to the broader global framework for sustainable development . It underscores that without recognizing, reducing, and redistributing unpaid care work, and without rewarding paid care work, goals on gender equality, poverty reduction, quality education, and decent work will remain out of reach.

The future of this movement hinges on continued advocacy, investment, and a fundamental shift in social norms. It requires a shared responsibility between governments, the private sector, communities, and families to build what the UN describes as "robust, resilient and gender-responsive, disability-inclusive and age-sensitive care and support systems with full respect for human rights". The journey is long, but the International Day of Care and Support provides an annual milestone to reflect, mobilize, and reaffirm the collective commitment to a world where care is valued, visible, and shared by all.

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