In a significant step toward promoting policies that support caregiving, the Association of Women in Agriculture Kenya (AWAK) has announced a strategic alliance with key stakeholders in Kitui County. Formed on August 31, 2024, the alliance brings together a diverse group of organizations and individuals committed to addressing the issue of unpaid care and domestic work (UCDW).

The newly formed alliance comprises civil society organizations (CSOs), community-based organizations (CBOs), women’s rights organizations (WROs), nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), media outlets, and men and boys champions in Kitui County. This multi-sectoral collaboration aims to advocate for the implementation of care-friendly policies, with a particular focus on driving reforms that recognize, redistribute, reduce, and represent care work and care workers.

The alliance seeks to address the disproportionate burden of caregiving that often falls on women in the region. This unequal distribution of responsibility limits women’s opportunities for economic participation and overall empowerment. By advocating for supportive frameworks, the alliance aims to create an environment where women have more time for activities of their choice. These frameworks include pushing for the provision of essential infrastructure such as improved access to water, healthcare, roads, energy, and expanded early childhood care services.

A key aspect of the alliance’s strategy is the promotion of a multi-sectoral approach to achieve policy change. Recognizing that care work is a societal issue that affects everyone, the alliance is also committed to engaging men and boys as champions in this cause. This inclusive approach aims to foster greater gender equity in the sharing of care responsibilities.

The collaborative effort will concentrate on several core objectives:

• Raising awareness about the value of unpaid care and domestic work.
• Advocating for policy changes to support crucial care services, including childcare and elder care.
• Promoting community dialogue to challenge traditional gender roles and redefine care responsibilities.
• Engaging with local and national governments to ensure that care-friendly policies are integrated into legislative frameworks.

The alliance believes that by working together, these diverse stakeholders can create a more supportive and equitable society that values and supports care work, ultimately empowering women and benefiting the entire community.