Discussions: Care as a Human Right and Public Service

Carolina Espinoza, vice president of PSI's Inter-American Women's Committee, stressed the importance of recognizing care as the fourth pillar of social security. "Our global union is mainstreaming the gender equality approach with work incident to the recognition of paid care work. Co-responsibility must transcend households and become a State commitment through national care systems that guarantee a good life for all," said Espinoza.

In her presentation, Barb Nederpel of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) highlighted the interconnection between the working conditions of care workers and the quality of services provided. "Having and providing decent care is the ultimate goal. We must ensure that all care is publicly funded, publicly owned and that care workers are in the public sector to protect the rights of both caregivers and care recipients," she said. Her experience also highlighted the use of political campaigns to empower union members to use their voices in the face of governments that deny their rights.

The panel also analyzed the impact of the advisory opinion of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights on care as a fundamental human right, as well as the risks of privatization of care systems in the region. In addition, Marta Clara Ferreyra Beltrán, from the Global Alliance for Care, and Natalia Moreno Salamanca, from the Colombian Ministry of Equality, shared experiences in building public care systems in Latin America and the opportunities they offer to transform gender policies.

The participants agreed that the creation of national care systems requires political will and sustained commitment to ensure their sustainability and equity. "PSI reaffirms its commitment to the construction of a social care system as a human right, recognizing its centrality in guaranteeing social justice, gender equality and decent work throughout the region," concluded Susana Barria, moderator of the panel.