Caring for caregivers: Developing a national policy for non-communicable disease caregivers in Kenya

Women and girls in Kenya shoulder a disproportionate share of the unpaid care responsibilities for persons living with non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The rising global prevalence of these diseases poses significant challenges to Africa’s health landscape. This is particularly true in Kenya, where NCDs contribute substantially to mortality rates. Cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes, mental health issues, and injuries are the primary causes of NCD-related deaths in the country.

Bringing unpaid carers out of the shadows

Weak healthcare infrastructure and financial barriers mean people living with non-communicable diseases must rely to a great extent on informal care. Due to entrenched gender norms, women and girls provide most of this care. The unequal distribution of caregiving responsibilities infringes on women’s rights, impedes their economic empowerment and compromises their health and well-being. Despite their vital role in patient welfare and health care, unpaid caregivers remain marginalized and overlooked within Kenya’s health and social service systems.

Easing the burden on women and girls

This project seeks to address the heavy burden of unpaid care placed on women and girls in Kenya who look after individuals with NCDs, highlighting the gendered nature of caregiving. In an effort to alleviate the disproportionate burden on women and girls, it proposes a policy innovation aimed at recognizing, reducing and redistributing this unpaid care work.