Dear #W4S Community,
Domestic or household work is a fundamental part of a country's economy and is generally done for free or with minimal payments. In countries like Argentina, they constitute the activity that contributes the most to the economy, representing 16% of GDP according to the latest report from the Economy, Equiality and Gender Directorate. In Australia they represent 50% of GDP and in Switzerland 40%.
Economic theories like capitalism or even communism, consider that care tasks do not generate “economic” value. The care of the kids, the sick and the elderly does not produce profit according to Adam Smith or Karl Marx. However, don´t you think they are an essential element of a society?
Despite the obvious affirmative answer, this tasks - performed in the majority of cases by women - only obtain social recognition in a few societies that have understood its importance, such as New Zealand, Australia, Canada and some Northern European countries.
The 3rd pillar of the Caring Economy promoted by W4S consists of valuing the care tasks, understanding them as a millenary and essential activity for any productive system, that deserves the recognition of everyone.
We invite you to join Women 4 Solutions and promote the Caring Economy by participating in our Gender Parity Certifications.