Advocacy Win: Karnataka State Recognises Unpaid Carers
For the past two years we, alongside our charity partners, unpaid carers and other stakeholders, have celebrated Carers Day on 19 October across India, Nepal and Bangladesh. This year however, we will be celebrating on 29 October in line with the United Nations International Day of Care and Support, which was first held last year, in 2023.
As this year’s International Day of Care and Support approaches, we are pleased to share that, after significant lobbying from Carers Worldwide and our partners, which saw some of the state’s districts celebrate our International Carers Day in 2022 and 2023, the Government of Karnataka, the southwest Indian state, is taking a significant step by committing to celebrate this day of recognition at the state level.
Update: We have been informed that, due to an election being called, the Government of Karnataka will now be holding their state-level celebration in November, as they are not permitted to hold state-level events during election periods. They will however, still be celebrating at the district-level across all but three districts on 29 October.
We have worked closely with the Directorate for the Empowerment of Differently Abled and Senior Citizens to get to this point: justifying the importance of celebrating a day such as this, explaining the objectives and outcomes, and demonstrating the need for them to join us and mark the day.
Why it Matters
This level of recognition is a first of its kind in India and will bring much-needed visibility to unpaid carers' issues and raise awareness of the critical role they play for their loved ones, in their communities and in society as a whole.
Carers Worldwide Founder and Executive Director, Anil Patil, points out that “Until we make caring visible, government and communities won’t recognise the immense contributions of carers, nor will they provide the necessary support. That’s why we are joining together with our partner organisations, local government and other stakeholders to celebrate the International Day of Care and Support and draw attention to unpaid carers.”
The Government of Karnataka committing to recognising this day, is a major step towards making caring and unpaid carers visible.
How Karnataka Will Be Celebrating
In preparation for the International Day of Care and Support, the Government of Karnataka has held preparatory meetings with the Directorate for the Empowerment of Differently Abled and Senior Citizens and a select group of 25 NGOs, led by Carers Worldwide, which have been brought together to organise this day.
The Government of Karnataka is planning a large event on the day in its capital Bengaluru, bringing together over 500 unpaid carers, their supporters and other stakeholders, including Carers Worldwide Founder & Executive Director Anil Patil.
The event will be inaugurated by the Chief Minister or senior government minister, and both carers and policy makers will speak about carers’ issues and the support they need. The Chief Minister will also be formally presenting the newly established Carers Allowance to a few eligible carers.
There will be a rally and a press conference, and cultural activities for the carers will be provided, as well as an information centre for carers to access support.
We are thrilled that the voices of unpaid carers have been heard by the Government of Karnataka, and that they are joining us in raising awareness of the vital role carers play and the support they need.
You Can Join Us Too
If you are able, then please do consider giving a gift to help us continue, not only our direct support of carers, but also our advocacy work, to get more governments and organisations to listen to the voices of unpaid carers and to make a change.
Sign our Carers Charter to demonstrate your commitment to unpaid family carers and pledge to do what you can in your own sphere of influence to promote and support their rights.
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