When Care Works, Everyone Thrives—Transforming the Childcare Sector in Kenya and Malawi
When care works, everything else works. Parents can pursue education and employment. Children grow up in safe and nurturing environments. Communities become stronger and more resilient.
Across Kenya and Malawi, however, childcare remains one of the most undervalued sectors of the economy. Most providers—predominantly women—work long hours in informal settings, often without fair pay, access to training, or financial support. Despite their vital contribution to families, workplaces, and national productivity, childcare workers remain largely invisible within economic systems.
The Action for paid Childcare sector Transformation (ACT) project funded by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by WUSC in partnership with COVAW in Kenya and WOLREC in Malawi, is helping to change that. Building on WUSC’s global experience in advancing the care economy, the ACT Project takes a systems-based, locally driven, and gender-transformative approach to strengthen the paid childcare sector. Together with our partners, we are working to improve the conditions for childcare and domestic care providers—recognizing that quality childcare is essential not only for families, but also for inclusive economic growth.
Building a Stronger Care Economy
A well-supported care economy doesn’t just benefit caregivers and families—it fuels national development. When affordable, reliable childcare is available, women are better able to participate in the workforce, contributing to higher household incomes and increased tax revenues. Employers gain access to a larger, more productive labour force, and economies become more resilient and equitable.
Investing in childcare generates what economists call a “triple dividend”:
- Children gain from improved early learning and care;
- Parents, especially women, can work, study, or pursue new opportunities; and
- National economies grow as labour force participation rises and new enterprises flourish.
By strengthening childcare systems, we are investing in a foundation for long-term, sustainable growth.
Collaboration for Change
The ACT Knowledge Exchange Forum brought together various stakeholders from government, civil society organizations, childcare ecosystem actors and other NGOs and INGOs from Kenya and Malawi to address the systematic undervaluation of childcare work and discuss potential strategies to transform the paid childcare sector. Through this event, we are strengthening coordination across these stakeholders to build a more inclusive, equitable, and resilient childcare system that supports decent work, enterprise development, and scalable service delivery for providers and families.
In addition, we are exploring how strategic policy interventions can formalize and strengthen the childcare sector and highlighting financial inclusion opportunities, the role of financial institutions, and scaling financing mechanisms to support informal care providers.
“Investing in a quality paid childcare workforce helps break intergenerational cycles of poverty and ensures that we reap the benefits of a triple dividend: it supports children’s healthy development, empowers women to participate fully in the workforce or pursue education, and drives economic growth at the national level. We must treat paid childcare work as a public good, a shared societal responsibility, not a private burden. Policies and systems must ensure that paid childcare work is at the very least recognized, accounting to the needs of workers.” Ruth Muendo, ACT Project Director
“Sustainable change cannot happen in isolation. The ACT Project demonstrates the power of collaboration, bringing together partners from Kenya, Malawi, and Canada to reimagine childcare not as a burden, but as the backbone of progress. The Government of Kenya recognizes childcare as a pillar of national development, and we stand ready to work hand in hand with all partners to build a strong and inclusive care economy.” Anne Wang’ombe PS, State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action, Ministry of Gender, Kenya
Looking Ahead
As WUSC and its partners continue to advance this work, one message remains clear: childcare is not a private concern—it’s a public investment. By strengthening childcare systems, recognizing care work as essential, and creating opportunities for providers to thrive, we can build more inclusive economies and stronger communities for generations to come.
When care works, everyone thrives.