Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government is working to develop the care economy as a new platform for employment generation, women’s empowerment and social security, with a focus on elderly people, children, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
A state-level consultation workshop on “Building a Sustainable Care Economy: Recognising Care Work, Empowering Women and Creating Inclusive Livelihood Opportunities” was organised on Monday at Bhagidari Bhawan in Gomti Nagar, Lucknow, under the nodal leadership of the Social Welfare Department.
Social Welfare Minister of State (Independent Charge) Asim Arun said the initiative, under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, could become a transformative step towards creating jobs and strengthening social protection for elderly citizens and disadvantaged communities.
The workshop brought together representatives from 12 government departments, including Health and Family Welfare, Women and Child Development, Labour, Skill Development and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. Discussions focused on developing a coordinated strategy to organise the care sector and prepare a comprehensive state care economy roadmap.
Focus on Training and Employment
Participants discussed the economic recognition of domestic and informal care work, new employment and self-employment opportunities for women, standardised training and certification for caregivers, and sustainable employment models.
The workshop also explored the potential of public-private partnerships, insurance schemes and corporate social responsibility funding to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of care services.
Social Welfare Department Director Sanjeev Singh described the care economy as an emerging employment sector as well as a vital social requirement. He stressed the need for inter-departmental coordination to establish a structured system for caregiver training, certification and employment.
He said trained and certified caregivers would help families access quality care services while creating dignified livelihood opportunities for young people, particularly women.
The discussions are expected to contribute to the development of a coordinated roadmap for strengthening care services across Uttar Pradesh.
UP SIDCO Chairman Y.P. Singh, Women and Child Development Secretary Manisha Trighatia, Scheduled Castes Commission Chairman Baijnath Rawat, Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation Vice-Chairman Vishwanath, Principal Secretary Social Welfare Anurag Yadav and senior officials from the Finance, Skill Development, Health and Divyangjan Welfare departments also attended the workshop.
