UN Women urges gender‑balanced care policies as Mexico report highlights women’s unpaid work

A report by Mexico’s Institute for Competitiveness (IMCO) finds that none of the country’s 32 states provide optimal labor conditions for women. It notes that 31.6 million people perform unpaid care work, three‑quarters of whom are women, and that 45 % of women of working age are out of the labour market because of caregiving responsibilities. The study points to high informal employment, a 12.8 % gender pay gap, limited childcare services and excessive household hours – women average 35 hours per week versus 15 for men.

The UN Women agency warns that the mental load of care work remains disproportionately shouldered by women worldwide. It calls for stronger public care systems, more equitable parental leave, and policies that recognise care as an economic good. Women spend 2.5 times more time on unpaid care than men, limiting their employment and earnings. Through its Transform Care initiative, UN Women supports projects in several countries, including participatory policy design in Chile and broader efforts to expand care services and promote male involvement in household tasks.