The regional sub-director of Women of the UN, Cecilia Alemannistated in a recent interview that the implementation of policy and systems of care is crucial to addressing the problems of poverty and desire in Latin America and the Caribbean. According to Germany, the region has struggled to reduce the lack of access to basic necessities over the past decade.
Transformative impact of carers' politics
Alemany explained that this policy can generate a “transformative effect” in various social and economic areas, improving the quality of life of women and society in general. The result is that it has not only had an impact on the formalization and regulation of care work, but has also affected the formal economy and social protection.
Economic benefits
Implementation of these systems could contribute to poverty reduction and improved health costs, among other benefits. It is estimated that unpaid care work represents approximately the 21.3% of GDP in the region, which equates to 8,417 million dollars weeks in which women dedicate themselves to this work without receiving any financial compensation.
Crisis of the Cuidados
Germany identified that the region was facing a “historic crisis” to worry about, which it had complained about during the COVID-19 pandemic. The women dedicate themselves to each other 6.3 and 29.5 hours weeks longer, men who carry out care work are not paid, which limits access to higher quality employees, even with higher levels of education.
Advances and suggestions
Various countries in the region are working on creating laws and systems of care. Examples include “care manzanas” in Ecuador and Colombia, which are spaces where women can leave their dependents while they study or take up an office.
Brazil will also address the topic of care at the next meeting of G20 yes there COP30. Alemany proposes to develop innovative and financial mechanisms, such as debt songs for attention, which allow improving the situation of care systems without depending exclusively on public finance.
The care agenda is increasingly recognized as crucial to transforming discriminatory relationships in the region. According to Germany, this focus is not only about social and political desires, but also seeks to improve the economic dynamics of Latin America and the Caribbean. The implementation of conservation policies could be a significant step towards sustainable equity and development in the region.
