In a rapidly evolving global landscape, Pakistan’s care economy is emerging as a pivotal force for sustainable development. As of September 2025, the recent launch of the “Transforming Care Systems: A Roadmap for Economic Growth and Social Equity in Pakistan” by UN Women and the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) marks a significant milestone. This initiative, unveiled during a two-day multi-stakeholder forum in Islamabad, underscores the urgent need to recognize and invest in care work—both paid and unpaid—to drive economic growth, advance gender equality, and foster social equity. With Pakistan’s economy showing signs of recovery, including a GDP rebound to 2.5% in FY2024 after a contraction in FY2023, transforming the care sector could unlock billions in potential GDP contributions while addressing deep-rooted inequalities.
Understanding Pakistan’s Care Economy:
Pakistan’s care economy encompasses childcare, eldercare, healthcare, and domestic work, much of which remains unpaid and disproportionately shouldered by women. According to recent reports, women in Pakistan spend up to 10 times more hours on unpaid care work than men, limiting their workforce participation and perpetuating gender disparities. The forum, held in September 2025, brought together government representatives from various provinces, civil society, academia, private sector leaders like Jazz, and international partners including UNICEF, ILO, and the Government of Norway.
Key discussions highlighted the national context, including the intersection of care with climate resilience—vital in a country prone to floods and disasters. For instance, recent floods in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have exacerbated care burdens, with women often at the forefront of recovery efforts without adequate support. The agenda also examined gendered social norms that restrict women’s opportunities, emphasizing the need for systemic reforms to value care as a skilled profession and fundamental human right, as stated by UN Resident Coordinator Mohamed Yahya.
Investing in Care for Growth and Resilience
Investing in the care economy isn’t just a social imperative—it’s an economic powerhouse. A new report from Aga Khan University reveals that Pakistan’s nursing sector alone could drive significant growth, despite challenges like low graduate numbers (only 5,600 annually) and high migration rates (54% compound annual growth). By enhancing care infrastructure, Pakistan could boost women’s labor force participation, currently at around 22%, potentially adding trillions to the GDP over the next decade.
The forum’s panel on the “Investment Case for Advancing the Care Economy” featured experts like Dr. Lubna Shehnaz of PRIDE Consulting and Gulmina Bilal of NAVTTC, who discussed how public-private partnerships can create jobs and resilient businesses. Kazim Mujtaba from Jazz emphasized the private sector’s role: “By investing in care solutions, we not only support women’s participation in the workforce but also strengthen our economy and create more resilient businesses”. Recent fiscal measures, such as the FY2025–26 budget’s increased allocations for health and well-being under gender-responsive budgeting, signal progress, with a notable rise in funding for equity and inclusion.
Moreover, the IMF’s May 2025 update notes Pakistan’s economic resilience, with ongoing reforms under international programs supporting sectors like healthcare. Slowing population growth through education, especially for girls, could further alleviate care burdens and enhance savings, as highlighted in economic analyses.
Social Equity and Gender Equality:
At the heart of transformation lies social equity. Unpaid care work, often invisible, undermines women’s rights and economic empowerment. Umme Laila Azhar, Acting Chair of NCSW, stressed: “This is not just a conversation about services—it’s about ensuring that every woman is treated with the dignity she deserves, and that her unpaid work is visibly valued and supported”.
The July 2025 gender pay gap report and national action plan reveal stark inequalities, with women earning significantly less, proposing measures for equal pay. Sessions at the forum addressed decent work policies, social protection, and innovative partnerships to bridge these gaps. For paid care workers, like nurses, the ILO’s International Nurses Day 2025 webinar advocated for decent work conditions, recognizing their role in economic and social well-being.
Intersections with disabilities and marginalized groups were spotlighted by speakers like Muhammad Jahangir of Handicap International, ensuring inclusive systems. Regionally, H.E. Ar. Siti Rozaimeriyanty Dato Haji Abdul Rahman of AIPA noted Pakistan’s leadership as a model for Asia, promoting cohesive societies.
Challenges in Transforming Pakistan’s Care Economy
Despite momentum, challenges persist. High migration of skilled care workers, inadequate infrastructure, and cultural norms hinder progress. The World Bank’s March 2025 overview highlights reconstruction efforts post-disasters, with 213,000 housing units rebuilt, but care systems remain underfunded. Climate vulnerabilities amplify these issues, as seen in recent floods.
Economic pressures, including IMF-mandated reforms, require balancing fiscal stability with care investments. Additionally, political instability and regional tensions could divert resources, though the forum’s cross-sectoral approach aims to mitigate this.
Building a Sustainable Roadmap
Pakistan’s efforts build on UN Women’s regional initiatives, including the 2023-2024 Asia-Pacific Care Forums and the 2024 Transform Care Investment Initiative. The July 2025 “State of Transforming Care Systems in Asia-Pacific” report emphasizes investments for women’s empowerment and SDG progress.
The forum’s key outcome—a policy paper—will form Pakistan’s first Care Economy Roadmap, guiding reforms and partnerships. Distinguished speakers, including Dr. Sharmila Faruqi and Honourable Ms. Wajiha Qamar, closed with commitments to actionable priorities.
A Vision for a Transformed Pakistan
Transforming Pakistan’s care economy is essential for achieving economic growth, social equity, and gender equality. As the 2025 forum demonstrates, collaborative efforts from stakeholders like UN Women, NCSW, and private entities are paving the way. By valuing care as an investment, Pakistan can build resilient systems that empower women, boost the economy, and foster inclusive development. Stay updated on these developments to see how this roadmap unfolds—search terms like “Pakistan care economy roadmap 2025” for more insights.
