The retrogressive culture and inadequate allocation of resources have been cited as a major hindrance in addressing care economy crises in Laikipia County.
Gender stakeholders speaking in Nanyuki during sensitization forum on care economy on Tuesday, they highlighted that, domestic work which is predominately done by women, was the least supported sector.
“We have encountered a lot of challenges during sensitization, especially on culture and stereotypes, the communities are not willing to let go. We are committed to enlighten them,” said Karen Kiogora, Laikipia County Gender Coordinator, adding that retrogressive culture severely affected the care economy.
Hand in Hand East Africa, Business Relationship Officer, Ms Salome Mbochi, who were the organizers of the sensitization forum, pointed out that Care work was the bedrock of society and entails activities that support the needs of the community.
“Our goal is to fight poverty through job creation and enterprises and we aimed to sensitize the community to recognize the care work, the burden placed on women and girls, how to reduce the burden, to redistribute, reward and represent them,” she said.
Joshua Kaburu, one of the participants, on his part, called on men to support domestic workers and at the same time encouraged the shunning of retrogressive perception that specific roles were designed for some genders.
According to Kenya National Policy that is awaiting Cabinet Approvals, it paints a grim picture that, women spend four to five hours per day on unpaid care work compared to about an hour for men.
Similarly, women work seven to eight hours whereas men work six to seven hours respectively resulting to gender gap. Globally, 76 percent of women perform unpaid care work.
Once approved, Kenya National Policy seeks to address inequalities associated with unpaid care and domestic work in the country.