In Ziguinchor, Senegal, a mother rises before dawn to prepare her children for school, juggling household chores, a small income-generating activity, and the worry of not being able to pay next month's rent. In Abidjan, Ivory Coast, a father accepts a precarious job far from his family, torn between the duty to provide for them and the desire to be there for them. In Cotonou, Benin, a grandmother cares for her several grandchildren while their parents work. Across West Africa, millions of parents and relatives live these realities—between financial stress, social pressure, and uncertainty—often without recognition or adequate support.

Being a parent is not a purely instinctive act. It is a role profoundly shaped by the neurobiological and emotional transformations that occur when one becomes a parent. The Van Leer Foundation 's research on the parental brain has shown that this period of hormonal and emotional reorganization makes parents both more attentive and more vulnerable. Parenthood transforms individuals and shapes the mind and body in distinct ways. Thus, beyond the daily challenges, parents and caregivers also experience emotional changes. Yet, few public policies recognize this phase as a time that also calls for care and structured social support, shares Karima Grant , the Foundation's regional representative for Africa. According to Babacar Ndiaye , research director at the think tank WATHI, “ parenthood is not just a private matter: it is a common good, a shared responsibility that should guide our public policies.”

Recognizing this means understanding that parents and caregivers are the primary educators and emotional anchors of our societies. From their earliest years, they shape the skills that each child—and therefore each future citizen—will use throughout their life. Yet, in Francophone West Africa, their well-being remains largely invisible in social policies and public programs. This invisibility is not neutral: it permanently weakens families and undermines communities.

The preliminary exploratory study conducted by Busara Global in Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, and Benin – Caring for Caregivers – offers an initial regional perspective on how parents perceive their well-being. The findings show that well-being is not limited to financial stability; it also encompasses emotional security, autonomy, and social recognition. Many parents report feeling isolated, exhausted, and anxious, caught between challenging economic circumstances and high social expectations. What was also revealed, explains Shalmali Ghaisas , Senior Associate at Busara Global, is that “ parents define well-being not only in economic terms, but also through a sense of emotional balance .” They emphasized that this balance largely depends on the autonomy they have, rather than having their time dictated by domestic demands and social norms.

Many expressed a desire for recognition and shared responsibility from their spouses and loved ones, highlighting how invisible and unequal the daily mental load can be.”

The study also highlights the central role of faith and the trust placed in religious leaders as sources of comfort in situations of doubt or financial hardship. However, this dependence can sometimes reinforce a form of passivity, preventing parents from taking action or seeking solutions. These findings reveal both the resilience and the vulnerability that characterize parenting in the region.

Despite progress, parental well-being remains absent from political agendas . During the co-creation workshop organized by the Van Leer Foundation in Dakar last October, one observation became clear: institutional decision-makers were absent . Public policies that directly influence families' living conditions are often developed without parents or those who support them daily. The problem is as much institutional as it is conceptual: "parenthood" is still perceived as a moral or domestic matter, whereas it is central to social cohesion and resilience .

The “ Caring for Caregivers” study is an essential first step, but research must continue and be supported. It is crucial to encourage work deeply rooted in local realities, in order to inform public policy and adapt interventions to the living contexts of populations, whether urban, rural, or displaced as a result of conflict, political instability, or even natural disasters.

The discussions in Dakar helped to outline several avenues for action:

1. Engage directly with public decision-makers through dialogues based on data and field experience;
2. Create safe spaces for fathers and male caregivers so that they can reflect on their role and share their experiences without judgment;
3. Strengthen community relays such as the “badjeen Gokh” through training and recognition of their essential role;
4. Working with civil society organizations and the media to expand awareness of parental well-being in rural and semi-rural areas;
5. Document and promote existing local initiatives , in order to capitalize on already effective models.

Supporting parents is neither an act of charity nor a favor ; it is a collective investment in the social fabric. A society that expects so much from its parents must, in return, provide them with the means to thrive.

Investing in parental well-being means investing in education, health and urban planning, in how our cities, neighborhoods and public spaces support family life and children's development.

The data exists, the actors are committed: it is now a question of transforming this knowledge into actions adapted to the contexts , supported by sustainable partnerships and coherent public policies .

It is time to recognize parenthood for what it truly is: a shared responsibility and a crucial issue , determining the stability, strength and humanity of our societies.

About the authors

Karima Grant is the Regional Representative for Africa at the Van Leer Foundation, where she supports initiatives aimed at supporting and valuing the role of parents in children's learning and development on the continent.

Babacar Ndiaye is the Director of Research at WATHI (West Africa Think Tank), where he works on governance and security issues in Senegal and West Africa.

Shalmali Ghaisas is a Senior Associate at Busara Global. She leads projects in the fields of education and natural resource management, co-designing solutions with teachers, farmers and facilitators to apply behavioral science in a concrete and reality-based way.