Nigeria Newspapers Online

As part of efforts to foster collaboration between the public and private sectors to encourage in­vestment in childcare solutions that empower women economical­ly, the Event Nanny, in collabora­tion with UN Women Nigeria, host­ed its inaugural Care and Economy Conference.

The conference with the theme; ‘Unlocking Women’s Economic Empowerment Through Private Sector Investment in Childcare’ brought together leaders from the private sector, international organizations, and government to discuss the impact of childcare on women’s economic empowerment.

The conference focused on the crucial role of private sector invest­ment in childcare as a catalyst for women’s economic empowerment in Nigeria.

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Olufunmilayo Gombe, founder of The Event Nanny and confer­ence convener, said that child­care is not merely a family issue but an economic imperative with far-reaching implications for workforce participation, business productivity, and national devel­opment.

On what informed the confer­ence, Gombe said, “we have seen that oftentimes women are at the receiving end when it comes to be­ing in the workforce or climbing up the ladder in terms of their career, because maybe when they begin to have children, they oftentimes have to leave their workplace because they don’t have the kind of support that they require, especially when it comes to childcare.

“We have seen that some or­ganizations will not even employ women because they are of child­bearing age or because they just had children or because they are pregnant.

“We’re saying that that is a bias that should not be encouraged. We are looking for a society that encourages both the male and the female gender to work, be econom­ically independent, which will in turn help the economy of the so­ciety.”

Gombe said that childcare in particular often hinders women from achieving their full potential, especially in the workplace, even in the marketplace.

“Let us ensure that we provide adequate support that women need, especially childcare, so that they can face their business and can move in their profession.”

She urged participants to carry forward the momentum and com­mitment to create a world where women can thrive in their careers and personal lives.

“Let us advocate for policies that support working mothers, invest in quality childcare and challenge the gender stereotypes that hinder women’s economic progress.”

She said that the theme of the conference has provided a frame­work for exploring the potential of private sector involvement in the essential sector.

“Cultural norms, limited access to childcare, and gender-based dis­crimination often hinder women’s economic progress. By encourag­ing investment in childcare, we will not only be supporting women but also strengthening our economy and promoting social justice.

“We have heard from experts, policymakers and industry lead­ers about the challenges faced by working mothers, the benefits of accessible childcare, and the inno­vative solutions being developed to address these needs.

“I hope that today’s conversa­tions have inspired new partner­ships, sparked creative ideas and reinforced the urgency of invest­ing in childcare. By supporting the care economy, we are not only em­powering women but also creating a more equitable and prosperous society for all.

Beatrice Eyong, UN Women Country Representative to Nige­ria and ECOWAS, in her remarks said that care work, both paid and unpaid, remains a cornerstone of societies, yet it is often overlooked, undervalued, and underfunded.

Eyong, who was represented by Dr. Chukwuemeka Onyimadu said globally, particularly here in Nigeria, women shoulder the vast majority of unpaid care responsi­bilities.

“In Sub-Saharan Africa, women spend an average of 3.1 times more time on unpaid care than men, limiting their access to education, economic opportunities, and even leisure time. This phenomenon, known as “time poverty,” perpet­uates cycles of poverty and limits women’s participation in quality employment and decision-making roles.

She said investing in childcare is not only about meeting the needs of children; that it’s about creating an ecosystem that allows women to thrive.

According to her, the link be­tween affordable, accessible child­care and women’s full economic participation is undeniable.

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“When women are assured that their children are safe, learning, and cared for, they can pursue career opportunities, education, and personal development. This freedom impacts individual fam­ilies and drives economic growth as more women are empowered to contribute their talents and skills to society.

Eyong noted that in Nigeria, where childcare infrastructure is still developing, the potential for impact is immense and that stud­ies indicate that investing in care infrastructure could create up to 17 million formal jobs, catalyzing economic growth and lifting fam­ilies out of poverty.

“Childcare investments are, therefore, a strategic move for the private sector, which stands to ben­efit from a more inclusive, produc­tive workforce.”

She pointed out that UN Wom­en is fully committed to advancing the care economy in Nigeria and beyond.

“We recognize that sustainable development and gender equality cannot be achieved without ad­dressing the fundamental role of care.

“Through our Care Framework, developed in consultation with stakeholders across Sub-Saharan Africa, we aim to build a strong foundation for national policies that recognize, reduce, and redis­tribute care work. This framework is already being applied in coun­tries like Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal, where strategic policies have led to impactful changes that prioritize care and empower caregivers.

“Here in Nigeria, UN Women is actively working with key partners, including the Ministry of Women Affairs, the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, and a diverse coalition of public and private stakeholders to develop a National Care Policy.

“This policy will establish a roadmap for equitable, accessible, quality care infrastructure. This national policy on care aims to address the underlying structural issues that perpetuate time poverty and inhibit women’s full participa­tion in the workforce.

Speaking further she said that private sector investment in child­care is more than just a business opportunity but it’s a step toward economic and social transforma­tion.

“Companies that support child­care options for employees see tangible benefits—improved pro­ductivity, reduced turnover, and enhanced employee satisfaction. When companies invest in child­care, they invest in the well-being of families, the development of children, and, ultimately, in the economy itself.

“I encourage the private sector to think beyond traditional roles and recognize that it has a pivotal role in childcare solutions. This in­cludes exploring diverse childcare models, from workplace creches to flexible childcare vouchers that cater to various family needs. We can develop innovative models and partnerships that expand access to quality, affordable childcare ser­vices for all.

“We need supportive policy frameworks that encourage and facilitate private-sector engage­ment in childcare for meaningful change. The Nigerian government, UN Women, and our partners are committed to establishing policies that recognize and support care work, acknowledging it as a vital part of our national economic strategy.

“Let us take this moment to chal­lenge cultural norms that frame care as solely the responsibility of women. Care work is foundational to human well-being and economic resilience, and it is time we give it the value it deserves. Through col­laboration, innovation, and invest­ment, we can transform the lives of millions of Nigerian families and build a more inclusive and resilient society,” she added.

The conference featured two high-powered panel discussions.

The first panel, focused on the impact of childcare on women’s economic empowerment, while the second focused on leveraging private sector investment for child­care.

The conference highlighted the importance of government action through legislation to increase women’s access to childcare ser­vices by compelling large organi­zations to make the needed adjust­ments.

It also stressed on the trans­formative potential of strategic partnerships between the private sector and childcare services in creating an inclusive economy that supports working mothers.

Additionally, participants en­gaged in meaningful dialogue and shared insights on actionable strategies to address the challenges faced by working women in Nige­ria.

Participants also commended the UN Women for their organiza­tion’s collaborative efforts in mak­ing the conference possible and their ongoing work in promoting women’s economic empowerment across Nigeria.

As the first conference of its kind in Nigeria focusing specifi­cally on private sector investment in childcare, the event marks a significant step toward creating sustainable solutions for women’s economic empowerment while ad­dressing the critical need for quali­ty childcare services in the country.