Our National Carers Alliances: A Movement of Recognition, Rights and Resilience
Across the globe, in bustling cities, rural villages and remote communities, millions of individuals dedicate their lives to caring for loved ones, children with disabilities, ageing parents, spouses with chronic illness, or siblings with mental health conditions. They do this out of love and responsibility, often silently, with little recognition or support.
These individuals are unpaid family carers - the hidden backbone of families, communities and health systems.
In South Asia, we are supporting them to step out of the shadows and come together as a powerful force for change.
What is a National Carers Alliance?
Our National Carers Alliances are coalitions of unpaid carers, organisations and advocates, working to raise the visibility of carers and push for policies that support and protect them.
They are carer-led platforms that amplify their voices, advocate for their rights, and drive systemic change.
We have established alliances in India, Nepal and Bangladesh, each National Carers Alliance reflects its own cultural and political context but shares a common purpose: dignity, recognition and justice for unpaid carers.
“We are no longer just carers in the shadows. We are leaders. We are decision-makers. We are changemakers.”
Why Were the National Carers Alliances Formed?
In South Asia, carers, especially women and girls, carry an overwhelming share of unpaid care responsibilities. Many give up their education, employment and personal ambitions to care for someone they love.
Yet:
- There are no formal support systems, no respite, training, financial help, health support or legal protections
- Carers are excluded from most policies, which focus solely on the person being cared for
- Carers face social isolation, emotional distress, and financial hardship
Our National Carers Alliances were born to challenge this neglect and to create a future where unpaid carers are recognised and supported.
“I care for my daughter with a disability. Before joining the Carers Alliance Nepal, I felt alone. Now, I know I have a voice, and it matters.”
Who Is Involved and What Do the National Carers Alliances Do?
The National Carers Alliances are made up of a wide range of committed individuals and organisations.
Unpaid carers are the heart of the alliances and Carers Worldwide provide strategic coordination and guidance. Other members include Carers Associations and support groups; disability, mental health, elder care and women's rights NGOs; academics and researchers; corporate partners; and media advocates.
The strength of the alliances lies in co-creation, where unpaid carers shape the agenda and others support their leadership.
Each National Carers Alliance is decentralised, with grassroots groups feeding into state and national structures; democratic, with carers electing representatives and contributing to decision-making; non-partisan and open to partnerships across sectors; and sustainable, being aligned with broader development and inclusion goals.
The role of the National Carers Alliance is to raise awareness, highlight the impact of caring, influence policy, build carer leadership and develop a national Carers Strategy.
The alliances work to make unpaid carers visible through national campaigns, social media, storytelling, and events like the UN International Day of Care and Support. They build understanding among governments, service providers, corporates and the wider public.
In terms of highlighting the impact of caring, the alliances, in partnership with academic institutions, are initiating research to understand how unpaid carers contribute to the health and well-being of care recipients, the health system, and the wider economy.
The alliances also advocate for carer-inclusive policies and legislation, including:
- Carer identification and recognition
- Inclusion in social protection schemes
- Training and access to health services
- Representation in disability, elder care and mental health policies
Unpaid carers, especially women, are supported by the alliances to become advocates, public speakers, and leaders in their communities.
And finally, each alliance is working towards a national Carers Strategy and Action Plan, grounded in evidence and community needs. This will serve as a roadmap for long-term recognition and support for unpaid carers.
“I never imagined that I could speak at a Carers Day event in front of parliamentarians and policy makers. But I did and I wasn’t alone.”
What Have They Achieved So Far?
Though still in their infancy, the National Carers Alliances have made real progress:
- Policy Advocacy: In India, the Karnataka government became the first to formally recognise carers and introduce a carer’s allowance. Carers have also contributed to national disability and elder care policies. In Nepal and Bangladesh, alliances have met with parliamentarians and ministers to share carers’ experiences.
- Public Engagement: Through events, media coverage and digital campaigns, carers’ stories are being heard like never before.
- Carer Leadership: Dozens of women have become peer educators and community leaders.
- Regional Collaboration: India, Nepal and Bangladesh are learning from one another, showing the strength of a regional movement grounded in grassroots power.
What Challenges Remain?
The journey is not without obstacles. Governments have no official statistics on unpaid carers and care is often seen as a private duty, not a public issue. There is great gender inequality in care, with women remaining overburdened and male carers facing stigma for taking on the role. Add to this the limited funding and resources for long-term movement-building, and there is a long road ahead. Still, the movement continues to grow.
What’s Next for the National Carers Alliances?
The National Carers Alliances are about more than improving lives for individual carers, they aim to transform the way society sees care. They will contribute to:
- Gender equality – by acknowledging and addressing the burden on women and girls
- Social inclusion – by bringing unpaid carers into national conversations
- Health system resilience – by supporting those who provide informal care to their loved ones
- Human dignity – by ensuring unpaid carers are seen, heard and valued
The National Carers Alliances are working towards legal recognition of unpaid carers in all three countries, inclusion of carers in welfare, pensions and health schemes, and the creation of national carer registries and data systems.
“Our goal is not pity, it’s power. We don’t want to be hidden helpers. We want to be recognised citizens shaping the future of our countries.”
We are working on the expansion of the alliances into other countries across South Asia and are proud that our work aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, namely Gender Equality, Good Health and Well-being and Reduced Inequality.
What Can You Do?
There’s a role for everyone in building a caring and just world. Policy makers can include carers in laws and policies. Funders can invest in grassroots-led care movements. NGOs can collaborate and share resources. Corporates can support carer inclusion through their CSR activities. The media can tell carers’ stories with accuracy and empathy. And citizens can talk about care, reduce stigma and join the movement. What will you do?
A Final Word: When Carers Rise, Communities Thrive
Our National Carers Alliances are part of the growing global recognition that care is central to our societies, economies and well-being. As the world ages and health systems stretch, unpaid carers will only become more critical.
But this isn’t about leaving carers to do more with less. It’s about sharing care more fairly, recognising those who provide it, and building support systems that protect everyone.
“We can’t talk about equality or justice without talking about unpaid care. The Carers Alliance is shining a light on what was always there and turning awareness into action.”
Our National Carers Alliances are more than networks, they are movements. They show what’s possible when those who were once silent find their voice and when care becomes a shared priority. As the movement grows across India, Nepal and Bangladesh, it invites us all to rethink care, not as a burden, but as a shared responsibility that holds up the world.
If you would like to help us achieve our vision of a world in which every unpaid carer is valued and their needs are met, then please do consider giving a gift. Every donation whatever the size, will help us continue our work supporting unpaid family carers.
