Unpaid Care Work Keeps 708 Million Women Out of the Workforce

A new ILO report reveals that unpaid care responsibilities keep 708 million women out of the global workforce, representing a significant gender gap. Care responsibilities were cited as the primary reason for labor force absence by two-thirds of working-age women globally, while only 40 million men cited the same. These findings, released in alignment with the International Day of Care and Support, emphasize the need for policies that reduce gender disparity, promote equal participation, and support women balancing care duties with employment opportunities.