On This Women’s Day, Let’s Talk About Care

Currently, the world is home to 8.2 billion people. All of them share a common trait: at some point in their lives, they have required care, and very likely, they will continue to need it, especially in adulthood.

Care encompasses both paid and unpaid activities that are essential for people’s physical and emotional well-being. For example, cooking, attending medical appointments, looking after a sick person, or helping with homework, among others. In this way, care is not only vital for sustaining life; it is also an essential pillar for the functioning of society. Without it, fundamental tasks, including paid work, would be impossible to carry out, directly impacting productivity and economic growth.

The Role of Women in Care

Providing care offers a sense of purpose and satisfaction, fosters closer relationships, promotes solidarity, and strengthens interpersonal skills such as empathy and communication. However, when these tasks become excessive, they can lead to negative effects on those who perform them, particularly in terms of physical and mental health.

Traditionally, caregiving tasks have predominantly fallen on women. This trend persists today, both for women who are part of the labor market and for those who are not. In Latin America and the Caribbean, women devote, on average, three times more time than men to unpaid caregiving work. This burden limits the time they could otherwise invest in education, paid employment, health care, and professional development. According to a report by ECLAC (the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean), approximately 60% of women in households with children under the age of 15 do not participate in the labor market due to family responsibilities.

This issue becomes even more pressing when considering demographic trends in Latin America and the Caribbean. The region is undergoing rapid aging, with a significant increase in the population aged 80 years or older. This age group is more likely to require support or assistance to perform basic activities, further increasing the demand for long-term care. Over 75% of older persons in dependent situations in the region are cared for by family members, and of these unpaid caregivers, 6 out of 8 are women.

When care is paid, the disparity remains equally evident. Of the 9 million people engaged in paid caregiving in the region, 95% are women. This trend extends to care-related sectors such as education, health, and domestic work, where women continue to be the primary caregivers, reflecting an unequal distribution of caregiving responsibilities at all levels.

The Transformative Potential of Care

Implementing integrated care systems and policies has the potential to transform the lives of women, freeing up the time they currently dedicate to these tasks so they can focus on activities that enhance their professional development and improve their physical and mental well-being. These policies not only benefit women but also have a positive impact on the economy and society. Below are some of the transformations that could occur with better care infrastructure:

1. Greater access to paid employment for women. In 2024, the labor force participation rate of women in Latin America and the Caribbean reached 52.1%. Various studies in the region have shown that quality childcare centers play a key role in increasing female labor inclusion and household income. Specifically, access to subsidized childcare services can increase the likelihood of employment for mothers by up to 22%.
   
2. Improved working conditions for caregiving workers. Enhancing the working conditions for these individuals is essential, including training, certification of competencies, and professionalization of caregivers. These measures would not only benefit caregivers but also improve the quality of care received by those who need it.
   
3. Increased productivity and economic growth. In Latin America and the Caribbean, unpaid domestic and caregiving work represents an average of 21.4% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This highlights the economic importance of this sector, which could have an even greater economic impact if formalized and professionalized. By optimizing the use of human capital and reducing the caregiving burden on women, the care sector could significantly contribute to the region’s economic growth.

Investing in Care, Investing in Well-being

On this International Women’s Day, let us recognize that investing in care represents an unprecedented opportunity to improve the future of women, their families, and our societies. Let us advocate for a Latin America and the Caribbean where care is not just seen as a necessity but as a key driver of collective well-being and economic development.

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