Care Economy in Bangladesh: AYAT Care’s
Vision for The Future

AYAT Care plays a pivotal role in Bangladesh’s growing care economy by addressing the needs of both paid and unpaid care work, particularly for elderly and childcare services. As a leading organization working on the care economy, AYAT Care has built a solid foundation to advance the care economy through its innovative services, professional caregiving, and policy advocacy.

Understanding the Care Economy in Bangladesh

The care economy in Bangladesh, which includes both paid and unpaid work, is a vital but undervalued sector. With 21% of the population projected to be over 60 by 2050 and more women joining the workforce, the demand for elder and childcare services is rising. However, much of the care work, especially by women, remains unpaid and unrecognized, despite its significant contribution to household and national economies. AYAT Care seeks to address these imbalances by building a gender-responsive, professional care sector to meet the growing needs of the population.

  • Recognizing unpaid care work and advocating for policies that
    support caregivers.
  • Providing professional and market-driven caregiving services.
  • Offering gender-responsive employment opportunities for
    caregivers and health professionals.

Adopting the 4R Model for Gender-Based Care to
Transform the Care Economy

At AYAT Care, we are deeply committed to advancing gender equity in the care economy. As a key participant in global care economy discussions, including the UN Women Care Accelerator Program, we have aligned our approach with UN Women’s 4R Model. This model—Recognition, Reduction, Redistribution, and Representation—is designed to address the unequal burden of care work, which disproportionately affects women, and to create a more inclusive and equitable care economy.

Recognition of Unpaid Care Work

The first step to addressing gender inequality in the care economy is recognizing the unpaid care work done mostly by women. AYAT Care advocates for policy reform, partners with organizations like UN Women, and highlights the economic value of unpaid care, pushing for greater support.

Reduction of the Burden of Unpaid Care Work

Reducing unpaid care work is key to helping women participate in paid employment. AYAT Care offers professional home-based care for the elderly and children, easing the caregiving load, especially on women. With over 100,000 hours of service and 400+ clients, AYAT Care ensures high-quality, personalized care.

Redistribution of Care Work

AYAT Care promotes the redistribution of care work by professionalizing caregiving and offering training through its institute. By partnering with organizations like NHRDF and BRAC, AYAT challenges gender roles, creating jobs for men and women. Over 400 caregivers trained, with 70% securing employment.

Representation in Decision- Making

AYAT Care ensures women’s voices are heard by promoting gender equity in its services and organization. With strong female representation in leadership, AYAT Care champions policies supporting women in caregiving and addressing gender-based inequalities, ensuring women’s perspectives guide decisions.

Advancing the Care Economy in Bangladesh and the Asia-Pacific Region

Through strategic initiatives, global collaborations, and participation in key international forums, AYAT Care is building a robust, inclusive, and sustainable care ecosystem. Our work extends beyond providing high-quality care services—it’s about creating systemic change, advocating for policy reform, empowering caregivers, and addressing the growing demand for care services in a rapidly aging and urbanizing region.

Leading the Care Economy in Bangladesh and the Asia-Pacific Region

AYAT Care plays a significant role in shaping the care economy not only in Bangladesh but also across the Asia-Pacific region. Through participation in international forums and collaborations with global organizations, AYAT Care is driving discussions and strategies to enhance caregiving systems and policies across the region.