2026, Vol. 8, Issue 1, Part A

Women’s unpaid care work — including household chores, childcare, eldercare, and community services — forms the backbone of economic and social systems worldwide, yet it remains largely unrecognized and uncompensated. This gendered imbalance in unpaid labor contributes to persistent economic inequality, limiting women’s participation in the formal workforce and their access to financial independence. Addressing this issue requires innovative financial tools and policy frameworks that value, redistribute, and reduce unpaid care work. Financial inclusion strategies such as gender-sensitive budgeting, microfinance, digital savings platforms, and social protection schemes (including paid leave, childcare subsidies, and caregiver allowances) can play a transformative role. Furthermore, leveraging fintech innovations—such as mobile banking, digital payment systems, and micro-insurance—can empower women by providing flexible financial solutions tailored to their caregiving responsibilities. Integrating these financial mechanisms within broader social policies can help ensure equitable economic participation and strengthen women’s decision-making power within households and communities. Recognizing and compensating unpaid care work is not merely a matter of fairness but an essential driver of inclusive economic growth and social justice. This paper examines the potential of financial tools to address women’s unpaid care work, explores successful global and national models, and recommends strategies for integrating financial empowerment with care economy reforms.