Why Our Work Matters

In Kenya and across sub-Saharan Africa, the majority of care for people with NCDs happens at home—largely provided by unpaid women caregivers. These caregivers fill critical gaps in public healthcare systems that are often under-resourced and overwhelmed.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2020):

Non-communicable diseases account for 60% of global deaths, with 80% occurring in low- and middle-income countries.
Over 16 million of these deaths occur among people under the age of 70.

At the same time, UN Women estimates that 78% of all unpaid care work globally is carried out by women and girls.

Unpaid caregiving often results in:

Severe financial strain from out-of-pocket medical and non-medical expenses
Physical and emotional exhaustion, including caregiver burnout
Lack of recognition or compensation for their essential role
Social isolation due to the demanding nature of the work

CENet exists to bridge this gap by advocating for structural change, inclusive policy, and holistic support systems that recognize and empower caregivers—especially in marginalized and underserved communities

Our Vision

A world where every family caregiver receives the support, care, and empowerment needed to lead a healthy and fulfilling life

Our Mission

Our mission is to be the voice of family caregivers across Africa, advocating for their recognition and well-being through evidence-based policy engagement and strategic networking

A family caregiver (or unpaid caregiver) is an individual who provides ongoing care and support to a family member, relative, or community member who cannot fully care for themselves. This support is often required for long periods—ranging from six months to a lifetime.

Care recipients are usually people living with non-communicable diseases (NCDs), deteriorating age-related conditions, disabilities, or chronic illnesses such as TB, HIV, and AIDS. They often depend almost entirely on caregivers for daily living, medical monitoring, and emotional support.

While this role is essential to families and communities, it places a significant socio-economic, emotional, and psychosocial burden on the caregiver. Unfortunately, society rarely acknowledges these burdens, and in most cases, family caregivers are not compensated for their work. Despite these challenges, unpaid caregivers remain the backbone of long-term care in households and communities—especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like those in Africa.

Family caregivers and unpaid caregivers typically support:

Patients with Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as:
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular diseases (heart failure, coronary artery disease, arrhythmia)
- Chronic respiratory illnesses (Asthma, COPD, lung disease)
- Kidney and urinary tract conditions
- Autoimmune and endocrine disorders (Hypothyroidism, Lupus, Multiple sclerosis, Graves disease, Addison disease, Celiac disease)
- Neurological and mental health conditions (Depression, Epilepsy, ADHD, Parkinson’s disease, Dementia, Alzheimer’s disease)
- Sleep-related disorders (Obstructive Sleep Apnea, nocturnal hypoxia)
Persons with Severe Disabilities – including mobility difficulties (paralysis, amputations, arthritis, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy), sensory impairments, or intellectual disabilities who require full-time assistance.
Older Adults – living with age-related deterioration, frailty, or multiple chronic health challenges.
People Living with TB, HIV, and AIDS – who require long-term home-based care and medical support.

In 2005, Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) accounted for an estimated 35 million deaths globally, representing 60% of all deaths worldwide, with 80% of these occurring in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) (WHO, 2020).
Of these deaths, 16 million were individuals under 70 years old, highlighting the premature toll of chronic diseases.
NCDs include cancers, diabetes, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, asthma, injuries, and other respiratory and long-term conditions.

Gendered Burden of Caregiving

Globally, women and girls provide over 78% of unpaid care work (UN Women, 2020). On average, women spend two to ten times more hours than men on family and community caregiving roles.

The African Reality

In Africa, where the health sector is under-resourced, most people with NCDs and chronic illnesses are cared for at home, often with minimal or no hospital support. The level of care depends on the severity of illness, but in almost all cases:

Family and community caregivers (FCGs)—mostly women—shoulder the heaviest caregiving responsibilities.
Many have little or no training in medical or home-based care, leading to stress that is physical, mental, psychological, and social.
Home caregiving often results in financial strain, with families struggling to meet both medical and non-medical needs, including:
- Wheelchairs, walking aids, and supportive devices
- Blood pressure and blood sugar monitoring machines
- Adult diapers and hygiene supplies
- Nutritional supplements and special diets