UN Human Rights Council 50: UK statement on care and support systems

Thank you, Mr President.

Women and girls have been disproportionately affected by the economic impacts of COVID19. Not only are they over-represented in some of the worst-hit sectors, but they also undertake a bulk of unpaid care work. Redistributing, recognising and reducing women and girls’ unpaid care contributions, and investment that allows women to reach their full potential, protects their human rights, promotes stronger more inclusive growth, and ultimately benefits everyone.

The unequal division of unpaid care responsibilities in the home and low pay for paid care work also limits women’s empowerment, social and economic participation and leadership. The UK works with partner governments, multilaterals, and the private sector to address care in partner countries. We are encouraging the private sector to create better quality, more flexible work, and investors to seek opportunities to strengthen the care economy. We will join the Global Alliance for Care and share best practice on addressing unpaid care, and paid care for children and the elderly. We will encourage collection and analysis of sex and age-disaggregated data worldwide, with which to better monitor and improve policies, programmes and investments in care. By taking such action employers will reduce time and income poverty, improve working conditions and wages for unpaid and paid care workers, and provide care at all stages of life.

Mr President

We would like to ask the panellists to share evidence of concrete examples at the regional or country level of such actions taken by employers to encourage flexible workplace practices and reduce and redistribute care responsibilities?

Thank you.