International Day of Care and Support 2026

Learn about International Day of Care and Support 2026, observed on 29 October to promote care work, social protection, gender equality and sustainable care systems.

International Day of Care and Support 2026

• The International Day of Care and Support is observed globally on October 29 each year to highlight the importance of paid and unpaid care work, promote gender equality, and advocate for resilient social protection systems.

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International Day of Care and Support – Important Facts

• Observed on = 29 October every year.
• Proclaimed by = United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
• Resolution = A/RES/77/317.
• Resolution adopted on = 24 July 2023.
• First observance = 29 October 2023.
• Main objective = To raise awareness of the importance of care and support, recognize caregivers and care workers, and promote inclusive and sustainable care systems.
• Key focus areas = Gender equality, human rights, decent work, disability inclusion and support for older persons.
• Related UN Sustainable Development Goal = SDG 5 – Gender Equality and SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth.

What is the International Day of Care and Support?

• The International Day of Care and Support highlights the importance of care work in society and the economy.
• It recognizes both paid and unpaid care workers and calls for accessible, inclusive and sustainable care services for people who need assistance.
• Care work includes childcare, caring for older persons, supporting persons with disabilities, nursing the sick, cooking and cleaning.
• The observance also emphasizes the need to recognize unpaid care work and distribute caring responsibilities more equally between women and men.
• International Day of Care and Support 2026

Objectives of the Day

1. Recognize and value paid and unpaid care work.
2. Improve the rights, wages and working conditions of care workers.
3. Promote gender equality and reduce the unequal burden of unpaid care work on women.
4. Develop accessible care and support services for older persons and persons with disabilities.
5. Encourage governments to invest in strong and sustainable care systems.
6. Promote decent work, social protection and occupational safety for care workers.
7. Combat gender stereotypes and discrimination in care-related occupations.

Theme of 2026

• “Building sustainable care and support systems through decent work.”
• The theme emphasizes improving working conditions, labour rights, social protection, occupational safety, wages and skills development for care workers, while ensuring quality care services for everyone.
• International Day of Care and Support 2026

Important Statistics for Examinations

• Women performing unpaid care work globally = 76.2%
• Unpaid care work performed by women compared with men = 3.2 times more
• Global care workforce — women = 249 million
• Global care workforce — men = 132 million
• Projected care recipients by 2030 = 2.3 billion

What is the Care Economy?

• The care economy includes paid and unpaid activities that provide care and support to individuals, families and communities.
• Direct care = Nursing patients, feeding children and assisting older persons.
• Indirect care = Cooking, cleaning and other household activities that support people’s well-being.
• Paid care work = Care provided for wages or other financial compensation.
• Unpaid care work = Care provided without monetary payment, often by family members.
• International Day of Care and Support 2026

Important International Organizations

• United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) = Proclaimed the International Day of Care and Support
• International Labour Organization (ILO) = Promotes decent work and labour rights for care workers
• UN Women = Advances gender equality and women’s empowerment
• Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) = Promotes human rights for care providers and care recipients

Connection with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• SDG 3 = Good Health and Well-being — access to quality care and support.
• SDG 5 = Gender Equality — recognition and redistribution of unpaid care work.
• SDG 8 = Decent Work and Economic Growth — fair wages and safe working conditions for care workers.
• SDG 10 = Reduced Inequalities — inclusive services for vulnerable groups.
• SDG 17 = Partnerships for the Goals — cooperation among governments, organizations and communities

Quick Revision for TNPSC and Other Competitive Exams

• International Day of Care and Support — 29 October.
• Proclaimed by — United Nations General Assembly.
• Resolution number — A/RES/77/317.
• Resolution adopted — 24 July 2023.
• First observed — 29 October 2023.
• 2026 theme — Building sustainable care and support systems through decent work.
• Key international labour organization — ILO.
• Major issue addressed — Unequal distribution of unpaid care work.
• SDGs particularly associated with the observance — SDG 5 and SDG 8.
• International Day of Care and Support 2026