14/05/2026
“TransformCare South Asia: Dialogue on Transforming Care Systems to Advance Women’s
Economic Empowerment in SAARC”
Kathmandu, Nepal – 14 May 2026 – Member States of the South Asian Association for
Regional Cooperation (SAARC) are working towards a historic regional roadmap to transform
care systems, aiming to unlock women’s economic potential and drive inclusive growth across
South Asia.
The two-day ministerial dialogue, “TransformCare South Asia: Transforming Care Systems for
Advancing Women’s Economic Empowerment in SAARC” concluded on 14 May, marking the
first time the care economy has been positioned as a strategic pillar for cooperation in the
subregion. Co-organized by the SAARC Secretariat and UN Women, the event was supported by
the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family of the Government of the Republic of Korea.
South Asia continues to have one of the lowest female labour force participation rates globally,
with unpaid care responsibilities borne disproportionately by women and girls limiting their
access to employment and leadership opportunities. Closing gender gaps in female labour force
participation could increase South Asia’s GDP by up to 51 per cent.
“Coordinated action to transform care systems can unlock greater choices and opportunities for
women across South Asia,” said Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, UN Assistant Secretary-General
and UN Women Deputy Executive Director. “Investing in the care economy can expand
women’s labour force participation, while helping to realize women’s rights to education, rest,
participation in public life and equal opportunities too often constrained by unequal care
responsibilities.”
The care economy presents a significant opportunity for job creation and economic multiplier
effects. UN Women research shows that investments in the care sector can generate two to three
times more jobs than equivalent investments in sectors such as construction, while also enabling
more women to enter and remain in the workforce.
Through the TransformCare Investment Initiative, UN Women offices across South Asia provide
technical expertise, data-driven evidence and financing strategies to help SAARC countries turn
these regional goals into national realities. Since 2024, with the support of Ministry of Gender
Equality and Family of the Republic of Korea through the UN Women Knowledge and
Partnerships Centre, UN Women has been providing targeted technical assistance to support the
reform of care systems through integrated approaches engaging government, women’s
organizations, private sector and academia.
A key output of the ministerial dialogue was the formulation of a zero draft Action Plan for
Transforming Care Systems in South Asia for SAARC countries.
Emphasizing the need to transform care systems for women’s economic empowerment,
Ambassador Md. Golam Sarwar, SAARC Secretary-General, said: “The care economy is not a
niche social issue, nor is it a peripheral concern for the benevolent. It is an economic imperative,
a demographic necessity, and above all, a moral calling. If we are serious about inclusive growth,
we must be serious about care. The future of South Asia depends not only on how we grow, but
on how we care for one another.”
In reiterating the need for coordinated action across policies, financing, services, infrastructure,
decent job creation and social norms to transform care systems, the SAARC Member States
show strong commitment to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment. Such
shared regional challenges to advance the care economy, including entrenched gender norms,
rapid demographic transitions, labour mobility, and climate pressures commonly faced by South
Asian countries, require collective responses.
Positioning care as a common priority enables SAARC countries to leverage shared cross-
country learning, align policy approaches, and scale solutions that benefit women and girls,
particularly those most underserved. Strengthening regional cooperation on financing can also
unlock blended financing approaches to scale investments to ensure the provision of accessible,
affordable, quality care services and infrastructure as well as decent working conditions for paid
care workers across South Asia.
Gunakar Bhatta, the vice-chair of the National Planning Commission, Government of Nepal: “It
is time to move from promises to delivery. Nepal’s engagement in this dialogue reflects our
commitment to moving from care promises to care delivery. Investing in care services is not a
cost, but a growth strategy that creates jobs, strengthens families, and accelerates inclusive
development across South Asia.”
