Topic: 2024-Unpaid Care and Domestic Work
Country: Niger
Delegate Name: Rebecca Panebianco
Rebecca Panebianco
Niger
Mattawan High School
UN Women – Unpaid care and domestic work
Women in Niger spend a disproportionate amount of their time on unpaid labor, which limits their opportunities for education, employment, and participation in political and economic life. This inequality has long-term consequences for the country’s development and economic growth.
In Niger, like many countries in West Africa, women bear the brunt of unpaid care and domestic work. This includes tasks such as cooking, cleaning, fetching water, and caring for children and the elderly. A significant portion of this work is not recognized or compensated, despite its critical role in sustaining families and communities.
The time spent on unpaid care work severely limits women’s ability to engage in paid employment or education. This contributes to the gender gap in income and employment, as well as lower levels of female representation in political processes.
Niger recognizes the importance of addressing unpaid care and domestic work in order to promote gender equality and achieve sustainable development. Niger also supports the development of social protection policies to provide financial support to those involved in unpaid care work. However, the country faces significant resource constraints and requires international support to make meaningful progress in this area.
Niger calls for international cooperation to invest in infrastructure that reduces the time women spend on domestic tasks, particularly in rural areas.
The government is eager to collaborate with international partners to implement policies and programs to recognise the value of domestic labor. Through coordinated efforts, Niger aims to reduce the gender gap and ensure that all women, regardless of their rural or urban status, can access equal opportunities
