A new daycare centre for domestic workers has been launched in the Gulele Sub-City of Addis Ababa to provide safe and reliable childcare while supporting women’s participation in the labour market. The initiative was led by the International Labour Organization in collaboration with local government institutions, workers’ organizations, and community partners. By offering quality early childhood care services and creating decent childcare jobs, the centre aims to support domestic workers who often struggle to balance employment with family responsibilities.
The daycare centre was established under an ILO project focused on promoting workers’ rights and gender equality in Africa. Initially introduced in the textile and garment sector and later expanded to agro-processing, the initiative has now reached the domestic work sector with the opening of its fifth childcare centre. The expansion recognizes the important yet often undervalued role that domestic workers play in supporting households and communities, while addressing the care challenges that limit women’s economic participation.
ILO representatives highlighted that access to affordable childcare is essential for enabling women to work with confidence and stability. The facility allows domestic workers to continue earning an income while ensuring that their children receive proper care, early education, and a supportive environment for development. The initiative also aims to contribute to long-term outcomes by strengthening early childhood development and providing a foundation for future opportunities.
Local authorities emphasized their commitment to ensuring the centre operates according to national childcare standards and remains a safe and supportive space for children. The project also aligns with Ethiopia’s commitment to international labour standards that promote equal opportunity for workers with family responsibilities, demonstrating how global commitments can be translated into practical solutions at the community level.
Workers’ organizations also played a key role in the initiative, helping identify beneficiaries and ensuring that the childcare services respond to the real needs of domestic workers. Union representatives described the centre as an important step toward improving the rights and dignity of domestic workers by reducing one of the major barriers they face in maintaining stable employment.
The daycare centre was made possible through coordinated collaboration among government agencies, labour organizations, and development partners who contributed resources, training, and infrastructure. The initiative is intended to serve as a model that can be replicated in other regions, highlighting how investments in childcare can strengthen gender equality, support families, and promote decent work while contributing to broader social and economic development.
