International Day of Care and Support highlights global gender inequalities

The International Day of Care and Support, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly, emphasizes the vital role of both professional and unpaid caregivers in sustaining communities and economies. Global data from the International Labour Organization indicates a significant gender imbalance, with women performing the vast majority of unpaid care work. In many regions, this disproportionate responsibility acts as a barrier to women’s economic autonomy and professional development.

Various organizations and governments are responding to these challenges through different initiatives. In Spain, advocacy groups are calling for increased public investment in care services to reach at least 2 percent of the GDP to address an aging population. In Uruguay, specialized care spaces have been established to support families, particularly those with students or workers on night shifts. Meanwhile, in Portugal, municipal programs are providing support and respite for informal caregivers through initiatives like the Bolsa de Horas.

International bodies, including UN Women and the World Bank, continue to advocate for more equitable parental leave policies and the expansion of public childcare services to redistribute care responsibilities more fairly between genders.