ECLAC presents the main findings of the report on the Care Economy+

Care work sustains people in their daily lives and contributes to the production and reproduction of the labor force. Despite this invaluable contribution, unpaid care is still treated as an externality by mainstream economics and is not taken into account in policies or national accounts[1].

This is one of the reflections shared by Nicole Bidegain Ponte, Social Affairs Officer of ECLAC’s Gender Affairs Division, during her presentation of the policy brief on the Violet Economy/Care+ together with Chantal Line Carpentier, Head of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Office of the Secretary-General in New York, during the webinar on the policy briefs on the New Economy for Sustainable Development. During the event, organized by the United Nations Economists Network (UNEN), 7 political reports on the New Economy for Sustainable Development.

Nicole Bidegain Ponte highlighted that the Care Economy represents a new vision of the economy that recognizes the importance of care work and the autonomy of women for the functioning of economies and the well-being of societies. Care policies make it possible to accelerate the pace of compliance with various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In particular, the Social Affairs Officer pointed out that a broad Regional Gender Agenda has been approved in Latin America and the Caribbean to promote women’s rights and gender equality, with care at the center. She highlighted that the Buenos Aires Commitment, approved by the governments of the region during the XV Meeting of the Regional Conference on Women in Latin America and the Caribbeanis of particular interest as governments agreed to measure the multiplier effects of the care economy and apply gender-sensitive countercyclical policies to mitigate the impact of economic crises on women’s lives.

Nicole Bidegain Ponte highlighted that, in order to achieve a transformative recovery, it is crucial to advance recovery plans with affirmative actions that promote comprehensive care systems, decent work and the full participation of women in strategic sectors of the economy, as has been been agreed by the governments of the region in the Regional Gender Agenda. These actions are aimed at achieving gender equality, the sustainability of life and the transition towards a care society.

For more information:

See the presentation by Nicole Bidegain Ponte and Dr. Chantal Line Carpentier: “New Economics for Sustainable Development Policy Brief: Purple Economy (Care Economy+)”.