Structural Solutions to Achieve Equality in Care Work 2021

Although our society depends on care, whether at home, in childcare or elder care, or in broader social structures and economies, care work has long been invisible, unpaid or underpaid, and underfunded. It is also disproportionately performed by women. Globally, women do three to ten times more unpaid care and domestic worka than men. Looking specifically at COVID-19’s impact on unpaid care work, research has consistently found the brunt of increased hours has been concentrated with women and girls, aggravating or maintaining existing inequalities.

The report addresses this challenge from three angles:

  • First, it examines what “men’s involvement in care” looks like now and what it could look like if equality is achieved.
  • Second, it hones in on COVID-19’s impact on unpaid care work and whether national COVID-19 policies are promoting equal care.
  • Finally, it provides seven key actions to promote more equitable care and, ultimately, a more caring world.

By the numbers:

  • Factor by which the average time spent on unpaid care work by women worldwide exceeds the time spent by men: +3
  • At the current rate of change, estimated number of years before we reach equality in unpaid care in the home between men and women: 92
  • At the end of Q2 2020, based on a sample of 55 countries, the ratio of women out of work due to COVID-19 compared to men: 1.8:1
  • Among women with children in 16 countries, average increase in time per week spent on childcare during COVID-19: 5.2 hours; Average increase among men: 3.5 hours.
  • Estimated annual financial value of unpaid care and domestic work: $10.8 trillion.
  • Number of countries that guarantee paid parental leave for mothers, as of 2020: 115; For fathers, as of 2014: 71.

Men’s full participation in care work is part of a necessary and urgent revolution to center care in economies, societies, and lives. The report provides 7 recommendations for achieving these goals that are inspired by the vital work of hundreds of feminists, women’s organizations and their allies, and social justice organizations that have articulated clear roadmaps for a more caring, equitable, environmentally sustainable, livable, and economically just world post-COVID-19.

Read the full report below.

Structural Solutions to Achieve Equality in Care Work 2021
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