NGEC Champions Care: Spotlight on Women and Childcare Workers

Multi-stakeholder forum spotlights urgent reforms for women in childcare amid policy gaps

Kisumu, Kenya — The National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) convened a pivotal multi-stakeholder forum this week in Kisumu County to address the urgent need for reforms safeguarding the rights and welfare of paid childcare workers, who the Commission terms “the unsung heroes of care work.”

Bringing together county government officials, civil society, legal experts, and grassroots women leaders, the dialogue highlighted that over 70 percent of paid childcare workers in Kenya are women operating without formal legal protections, fair pay, or access to mental health support. NGEC identified policy fragmentation and unclear mandates stemming from the devolution of Early Childhood Development (ECD) services as key factors exacerbating these vulnerabilities.

The Commission called for a National Support Plan for Paid Carers, encompassing legal safeguards, decent work standards, mental health services, and accessible justice mechanisms. Special emphasis was placed on mainstreaming disability inclusion in childcare, advocating support for women and children with disabilities.

The Kisumu dialogue represents a pivotal move in NGEC’s wider efforts to harmonise policy, improve stakeholder coordination, and raise public awareness in recognising and uplifting Kenya’s vital care economy.