Understanding the drivers of unpaid care workload in West African countries? A case study of Benin

Lesfran Sam Wanilo Agbahoungba, University Mercure International (Guinea) & LAREG, University of Parakou (Benin)
Touwédé Bénédicte Atchadé, FASEG, University of Abomey-calavi

The paper seeks to assess the factors that explain the time spent on unpaid care work in Benin. To this end, a logistic regression (Tobit model) has been used using data from the Harmonized Survey on Household Living Conditions (EHCVM). Results found that the sex of individuals, education level, size of households, and regions of residence play a critical role in the time devoted to unpaid care work in Benin. So, to reduce the unpaid care workload in Benin, policies shall keep girls in the education system as long as possible and ensure their success. Furthermore, researchers shall investigate the socio-anthropologic rationale specific to regions regarding unpaid care work. This would help better implement the triple R, particularly the reduction and equal redistribution of unpaid care workload in Benin.