Exploring the Impact of Unpaid Care Work on Families in Barbados

A new report by UN Women and the Joint SDG Fund sheds light on the critical role of unpaid care work in Barbados, its impact on families, and the need for evidence-based policy solutions. This report, part of a larger initiative under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, focuses on SDG 5.4.1, which highlights the proportion of time spent on unpaid domestic and care work by gender, age, and location.

Through six focus groups—including mothers, fathers, retirees, youth, faith-based communities, and people living with disabilities—the study identifies common challenges related to unpaid care work, such as financial strain, gendered roles, and cultural expectations. Using the UN’s “5R Framework” (Recognize, Reduce, Redistribute, Represent, and Reward), the report calls for systemic changes to better support families and elevate the value of care work.

This research not only emphasizes the societal importance of unpaid care work but also advocates for policies and programmes that ensure equitable and sustainable support systems. By addressing these issues, the initiative aims to advance gender equality and empower women, aligning with the broader Sustainable Development Goals.

Learn more about how this report seeks to drive meaningful change for families in Barbados and beyond.

Note:

All joint programmes of the Joint SDG Fund are led by UN Resident Coordinators and implemented by the agencies, funds and programmes of the United Nations development system. With sincere appreciation for the contributions from the European Union and Governments of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and our private sector funding partners, for a transformative movement towards achieving the SDGs by 2030.