Care and support systems are essential to decent work, gender equality and social justice. Yet many of the 381 million people working in the care economy worldwide – around 65 per cent of whom are women – continue to face low pay, inadequate social and labour protection, occupational safety and health risks, and limited opportunities for representation and collective voice.
Marking the International Day of Care and Support 2026, this event will explore how investment in rights-based, inclusive and sustainable care and support systems can improve working conditions for care workers while expanding access to quality care and support for all. It will bring together governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, United Nations partners and other stakeholders to examine progress, share practical approaches and discuss how decent work can help build stronger and more sustainable care systems.
Welcome remarks
Opening remarks
Progress and challenges in the achievement of global commitments concerning the care economy
Strengthening decent work, quality care and sustainable care systems
Celebrating 15 years of ILO Convention No. 189 and Recommendation No. 201: Domestic workers’ and employers’ voices
Key takeways
Closing remarks
Dialog
Dialog