Care is a vital yet often invisible pillar of society, forming the backbone of families, communities, and economies throughout every stage of life. Despite its critical role, care work remains undervalued and predominantly undertaken by women, perpetuating gender inequalities. To address this imbalance, the Government of Türkiye and the United Nations launched the UN Joint Programme on Transformative Growth of the Care Economy in Türkiye, aiming to place care at the center of inclusive and sustainable national growth.
The programme was designed to strengthen Türkiye’s care economy, promote gender equality, and foster decent work, with a focus on advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 5 and 8. By prioritizing inclusive and transformative care policies, the initiative sought to unlock economic potential while ensuring social protection and empowerment for all caregivers and recipients of care.
Funded by the Joint SDG Fund, the initiative was coordinated by the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office and led by the ILO Office for Türkiye, in partnership with UNDP Türkiye and with technical support from UN Women, UNICEF, and UNFPA. Working closely with the Ministry of Family and Social Services and other national stakeholders, the programme enhanced institutional capacities, promoted digital innovation in the care sector, and fostered policy dialogue grounded in international labour standards and the SDGs.
Ultimately, investing in care means investing in people. By recognizing and strengthening the care economy, Türkiye is advancing toward a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable future for all.
