Freetown Caring City

Unpaid caregiving in Sierra Leone significantly hampers gender equity, particularly in Freetown, where women and girls bear a disproportionate burden within households. Due to the time-intensive nature of caregiving responsibilities, women work 1.6 times more than men, encompassing both paid and unpaid work. This time-poverty restricts their opportunities for education, well-being, and economic advancement, while also leaving them vulnerable to sexual violence. The cycle of disadvantage perpetuated by unpaid care work prevents women from completing formal education or entering the labour market, leaving them physically drained and financially precarious. Although Freetown offers various support services for caregivers and dependents, such as daycare centres and adult literacy courses, these resources remain inaccessible and underutilized due to distance barriers. Rapid urbanization generates the need for new services, which often lag behind the city’s growth, further compounding the challenges faced by caregivers.

Transferring successful solutions

The proposed initiative aims to transfer the innovative Care Blocks model from Bogotá, Colombia, to Freetown, Sierra Leone, focusing on improving caregivers’ well-being and time management. Care Blocks reorganize urban neighbourhoods to place essential services within a 20-minute walking radius, reducing transit time for caregivers. This initiative aligns with the city’s “Transform Freetown” strategy, targeting challenges faced by women, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and informal settlement residents. Led by the Freetown City Council, the program will establish a Care Block in Susan’s Bay, offering services such as childcare, professional training, health services and community engagement activities. It aims to empower women and girls, redistribute caregiving responsibilities and promote gender equality.