20 Sep 2021 The COVID-19 pandemic unveiled the global crisis in care and countries’ heavy dependence on women’s unpaid care work. Drawing on data from Europe and Central Asia and Asia-Pacific, this brief presents the case for urgent investment in a care economy. It offers comprehensive policy recommendations that involve a wide range of stakeholders to strengthen investment in the care economy and advance workplace measures and public policy to redistribute unpaid care and advance women’s economic empowerment.