About 85 caregivers from Nairobi and Kiambu counties in Kenya participated in a transformative session on 22 July 2024, which highlighted the often-overlooked economic sacrifices they make to undertake unpaid care and domestic work (UCDW). Many caregivers forgo financial independence and career opportunities to manage household and responsibilities, a critical yet undervalued role in society. The session underscored how UCDW consumes significant time and energy, limiting caregivers’ ability to pursue income-generating activities. This not only perpetuates financial vulnerability but also reinforces gendered division of labor.

In partnership with UwezoFund, a flagship initiative under Vision 2030, which provides grants, loans, and financial management training, WE-Care partner Youth Alive! Kenya sought to improve access to financial resources. Through this initiative, the government can help caregivers integrate into the formal economy, without abandoning their UCDW roles.

Participants learned how Uwezo Fund’s financial opportunities can help them establish or grow small businesses, such as tailoring and soap-making, thus enabling them to achieve financial independence. This marks a crucial step toward the financial inclusion of caregivers, acknowledging the value of their unpaid labor and providing the tools needed to build economic resilience.