An Entrepreneur’s Vision For The Care Economy In Africa

As a care innovator, gender equity expert and Founder & CEO of Mother Honestly Group Inc., Blessing Oyeleye Adesiyan is on a global mission to close the care gap for families, workplaces, and economies. In this Q&A, she shares her insights on the care economy, strategies to support working women, and how collaboration between governments, businesses and communities can make a difference.

Q. Your work focuses heavily on the care economy and its impact on women’s economic power. Can you share the inspiration behind your organization, Mother Honestly, and how it addresses the unique challenges faced by working women, particularly in balancing career and caregiving responsibilities?

A. I entered corporate America at 23 as a young mother, juggling a budding career with the demands of caregiving. While my peers focused on climbing the corporate ladder, I navigated late-night baby research, childcare challenges, and the pressure of balancing personal and professional ambitions. Mother Honestly (MH) was born from my experiences in my previous corporate jobs, where I spent over a decade advocating for better parental leave, affordable childcare, and inclusive workplace policies. During this time, especially while breastfeeding my second child, I faced the anxiety and isolation familiar to many mothers. I founded MH to provide working women and families with the tools, resources, and community to thrive in both their careers and caregiving. We’ve expanded to reach over 30 million families globally, closing the care gap through initiatives like The Care Gap, Caring Africa, and Caring Blocks. MH is reshaping the care economy by advocating for equitable solutions that allow women to pursue their ambitions without sacrificing wellbeing.

Q. What are some of the most pressing policy or structural changes needed to ensure that care work is recognized in both corporate and community settings? And what advice would you give business leaders and policymakers on this topic?

A. Care work is vital to both the economy and society, yet it remains undervalued. How do we address this?. 1. Strengthening paid leave — whether for parental, caregiving, or eldercare — will ease the caregiving burden on women and help them fully engage in the workforce. 2. Affordable, accessible childcare should be prioritized through collaboration between employers and governments, particularly in underserved areas. 3. Corporate performance metrics should recognize caregiving as part of an employee’s experience, offering flexible schedules without penalizing career growth. And finally, greater investment in the care economy is needed, including fair wages and proper training for caregivers in childcare and eldercare. Lastly, creating a culture that values and normalizes caregiving responsibilities, especially among men, fosters an equitable and productive workforce. By recognizing care work and sharing responsibilities, we can promote gender equality, empower families, and strengthen the overall economy.

Q. In some African countries, women can spend up to 20% of their time in unpaid care work compared to a maximum of 8% for men. What is your view on male allyship as you work to address the challenges posed by paid and unpaid care work?

A. The disparity in unpaid care work, with women spending up to 20% of their time on it compared to 8% for men in some African countries, calls for a shift in how we view care responsibilities. Men must fully embrace caregiving, not just as allies but as equal participants. Care is a universal responsibility, and when men take on caregiving roles — whether raising children, managing households, or caring for elders — it promotes a more balanced society. This also empowers women to engage more fully in the workforce, boosting economic growth. Shared caregiving strengthens family bonds and challenges traditional gender norms, fostering greater equality. Employers and policymakers must support this shift with gender-neutral parental leave, flexible work, and workplace cultures that value caregiving. By fully engaging in care, men not only support women but also contribute meaningfully to society’s advancement and wellbeing.

Q. Can you share examples of innovative strategies or programs that have proven most effective in addressing the care gap, and how these strategies are advancing women’s economic power and leadership?

A. At Mother Honestly (MH), we’ve developed innovative strategies to address the care gap and empower women’s leadership. Our Caring Blocks platform helps families hire and retain domestic workers while ensuring fair wages and benefits for caregivers, providing stability for women in caregiving roles. We also offer gender-neutral care packages for new parents, supporting both mothers and fathers in balancing work and caregiving. Additionally, MH advocates for corporate care policies such as extended paid leave, flexible work, and on-site childcare to help women advance in their careers without sacrificing family responsibilities. Our global care coalition unites governments, businesses, and communities to promote shared caregiving responsibilities and reshape the care economy. These initiatives are closing the care gap and empowering women as leaders in the workforce and beyond.

Q. Looking ahead, what is your vision for the care economy in Africa? How can collaboration between governments, businesses, and communities help accelerate progress toward greater economic power for women?

A. My vision for the care economy in Africa is one where care work is fully recognized, valued, and equitably shared, allowing women to exercise their economic power without being constrained by unequal caregiving responsibilities. To achieve this, collaboration between governments, businesses, and communities is essential. Governments should implement gender-neutral parental leave, invest in affordable childcare, and formalize the care sector with fair wages and protections. Businesses must create family-friendly policies like flexible work, subsidized child care, and normalized parental leave for all employees. Communities should drive cultural change, challenging gender norms and promoting shared caregiving. Collaboration between these sectors will create a robust support system that empowers women and promotes gender equality, unlocking Africa’s full economic potential. By elevating care work, Africa can achieve greater gender equality and economic prosperity.