The Care Manifesto
A joint call for action by the Economic Justice and Rights Action Coalition civil society organizations and youth group leads towards a Caring Economy, as envisioned by Women from Latin America, Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa Care and domestic work are the backbones of our societies and economies. It includes supporting people to meet their needs, including caring for children, the elderly, people with disabilities, and people facing illness, as well as teaching and providing basic necessities and food for a household.
In fact, unpaid care work adds an estimated US$10.8 trillion to the global economy each year, which is equivalent to 9% of global GDP.2
Yet, care and domestic work has been largely un- or undervalued by economies and societies, and remains lacking focus in public policies and corporate structures. Underlying gender-discriminatory norms contribute to care work consistently being undervalued, meaning when it is paid work it is often poorly paid.
