Care work is essential — for individuals, families, communities, and the planet. But too often, care workers remain invisible in public policy and undervalued in society.

RE:CARE is a feminist research and advocacy initiative that highlights the essential yet often overlooked role of care work in Malaysia’s economy and society. Launched in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the project centres on the lived experiences of women essential care workers—from healthcare professionals and social care providers to migrant domestic workers—whose labour sustained the country through the crisis.

The pandemic brought care work into sharp focus, revealing how deeply our lives depend on the people who provide physical, emotional, and social support. Yet care work remains undervalued, underpaid, and disproportionately shouldered by women, especially those in vulnerable and informal roles. As Malaysia transitions into endemicity and prepares for future crises, RE:CARE asks: How can we build a care ecosystem that not only survives, but protects and uplifts those who hold it together?

In finding a solution, our approach is participatory: We trained care workers as Research Associates and worked alongside them to co-develop survey tools, conduct fieldwork, and interpret findings. Through this process, we aim not just to gather data—but to shift narratives, through policy analysis, and storytelling. 

RE:CARE seeks to spark national conversations, influence care-related policies, and advocate for long-term investment in a resilient, gender-responsive care infrastructure. 

At its core, RE:CARE is about recognition, reform, and resilience—for care workers, and for a society that cannot function without them.

This is a research initiative led by personnel from the Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO), University of Alberta, and University of Malaya, with support from TalentCorp Malaysia and the Ministry of Health Malaysia. RE:CARE is funded under the Women RISE initiative.