Private-Sector Innovation and Investment in Care Systems: Insights from knowledge exchange across seven Asian countries

Private-Sector Innovation and Investment in Care Systems explores how the private sector, including entrepreneurs, venture capital firms and impact investors, in addressing the unequal distribution of unpaid care work borne by women across Asia. Applying UN Women's 6R Framework, the paper draws on case studies from China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, the Republic of Korea and Viet Nam to examine how start-ups and investors are developing gender-responsive care solutions that can scale.

Building on the outcomes of the Korea Impact Studio on Care: Regional Knowledge Exchange and Dialogue on Elderly Care Innovation and Investment in Asia, and the UN Women Private Sector Forum: Care Service Innovation and Investment for Our Sustainable Future, held on 12–14 November 2025 in Seoul, Republic of Korea, and organized by the UN Women Knowledge and Partnerships Centre in the Republic of Korea, this paper puts forward recommendations for governments, entrepreneurs and private investors. It also contributes to UN Women's TransformCare Investment Initiative Asia-Pacific (TCII-AP).