How Unpaid Care Work Is Becoming a Foreign Policy Issue

Beyond the Ballot Box · Sep 29, 2026 · 36m

Across Asia-Pacific, women continue to shoulder a disproportionate share of unpaid care work. The situation is becoming increasingly challenging as societies age, birth rates decline, and demand for elderly care grows. These pressures are further compounded by migration, the climate crisis, and rising economic insecurity, all of which are reshaping care needs across the region. The economic implications are significant: the UNDP estimates that recognising the value of women’s unpaid care work could add around US$3.8 trillion to the regional economy.

Spogmay Ahmed is the Deputy Director of the…