In many countries, there remains a significant gap between the responsibilities assumed by women and men in household chores and caregiving for children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Oxfam data shows that women contribute more than three-quarters of unpaid care globally, valued at USD 10.8 trillion annually.
This burden of domestic work is often overlooked, leading to physical and mental exhaustion for women and hindering their social and professional lives. Government priorities, based on GDP, fail to account for essential caregiving activities, distorting resource allocation.
The care economy is now a focus in international discussions, with Latin American and Caribbean countries pledging to increase public investment in care policies and services for universal access. This commitment aims to address the inequalities in household responsibilities and enhance social and economic opportunities for women.