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To commemorate the United Nations International Day of Care and Support on October 29, Lagos will take its place on the global stage as Caring Africa leads Nigeria’s campaign under the theme “Start With Care.”
Around the world, care remains the invisible engine of progress; it is essential yet undervalued. Women perform over 75% of all unpaid care work, while millions of paid care workers, especially in developing countries, work tirelessly without recognition or adequate protection.
With more than 2.1 billion people worldwide in need of care and the global population aged 65 and above expected to double by 2050, the demand for robust and inclusive care systems has never been greater. In Nigeria, over 70% of domestic and care workers operate in the informal sector, lacking contracts, benefits, or basic legal protections.
Caring Africa will hold an event on Wednesday, October 29, at the Capital Club in Victoria Island, Lagos, with a focus on building stronger families, healthier workplaces, and more inclusive societies.
During the event, attendees will experience the premiere of a short documentary titled “Strong Families, Workplaces, Nations – Start With Care.” The Caring Workplace Awards will also be presented, celebrating ten employers who have integrated care-centered practices into their operations. Additionally, there will be a Celebration of Care Workers, recognizing those whose hands and hearts sustain homes and communities across Nigeria.
According to Blessing Adesiyan, founder of Caring Africa and convener of the #StartWithCare campaign, “This year’s theme, ‘Start With Care,’ calls for societies to do more than simply acknowledge care work; it demands action. The UN urges governments, employers, and citizens to recognize, value, and invest in care systems that are fair, inclusive, and sustainable.”
“This call is what Caring Africa has chosen to amplify through its national campaign #StartWithCare, a movement aimed at reimagining care as shared public infrastructure rather than a private struggle. The initiative will be unveiled in Lagos, bringing together policymakers, private sector leaders, and care advocates united by one mission: to prioritize care nationally.
Adesiyan emphasized that this is the shift Africa needs: “Care is the invisible economy that keeps every other economy running. Yet, it remains the most undervalued.” She adds, “#StartWithCare is more than a campaign; it’s a movement to reimagine care as a shared responsibility. Strong nations begin with strong families, and strong families start with care.”
The #StartWithCare campaign asserts that care is not a “soft” issue; it constitutes hard infrastructure. It builds people, strengthens economies, and sustains nations. Without investment in care systems—ranging from childcare and eldercare to paid leave and protections for domestic workers—progress toward equality and economic inclusion will continue to falter.
To learn more about Nigeria’s #StartWithCare campaign and the International Day of Care and Support, visit the website or follow the conversation on social media.
