Care system in sorry State
Report blasts failures over ‘ undervalued’ women’s work
LEVELS of poverty and discrimination are higher for marginalised women because of State failures to support carers, a new report has found.
Action aid Ireland and the National Women’ s Council launched the report A Feminist Vi si on of Care and Equality yesterday.
It shows there are inextricable links between care, gender, and economic inequality – both at a global and national level.
The report also found that care work both paid and unpaid is primarily done by women – and is largely invisible, undervalued, and unmeasured.
The study revealed that 80% of paid care workers are women, with the labour characterised by low pay and precariousness.
In this country, women do twice as much unpaid care and housework as men.
Research shows 75% of unpaid carers are women.
Action Aid chief Karol Balfe said: “By 2030, it is estimated that 2.3 billion people worldwide will be in need of care, 200 million more than in 2015.
“This crisis is compounded by the increasing privatisation of care and under- funding of public services.
“This lack of investment has a triple disadvantage for women, who disproportionately lose access to services, opportunities for decent work, and take on the rising responsibility of unpaid care work.”
She added: “The large majority of care work that women carr y out globally is not recognised as having any economic value as it remains largely hidden, invisible, and unmeasured.
“In practical terms, this leads to economic inequality and poverty for many women, a wide gender pay gap, and an even wider gender pension gap for women in older age.
“This is fundamentally about gender equality. Without supports, such as adequate public services, many women who care or avail of care are isolated and marginalised – with particular groups of women including lone parents, migrant, Traveller, di sabled and older women, at increased risk in Ireland.
“Globally, there is a growing movement to recognise care as a human right, and some states
Outdated policies and rules in care are often degrading for women GEORGIA GROGAN
LONE PARENT AND CARER
have strongly committed to this in their constitutions, laws, and policies. Ireland could learn from this global experience to make constitutional change truly meaningful .”
Next month, there will be two referendums. One of which proposes to delete an existing part of the Constitution and insert new text providing recognition for care provided by family members to each other.
Orla O’connor, NWC director, said: “This paper could not have come at a more opportune time.
“On March 8, Irish citizens will have an opportunity go out and vote in Ireland’s referendum on care and update our Constitution to recognise the importance of family care.
“Voting ‘ yes’ will send a strong message about the society we want to have, where everyone who provides care receives proper support and recognition.
“It will acknowledge that care should not only be provided by women, but should be shared equally within our homes, by the State and broader society. Care work is the cornerstone of our economy and wider society.”
The report recommends the deliver y of a public childcare model, better- paid family leave, a universal pension for all, guaranteed access to home supports, and personal assistance for disabled and older people, along with a commitment to the right of people to live independently inside and outside of the home.
Georgia Grogan, who is a lone parent with a daughter who has complex needs, said: “The policies and rules involved in care are often degrading, and they perpetuate outdated ideas that women are simply homemakers.
“I can’t stay in education without working, and I can’t find meaningful, sustainable work without education.
“Care impacts every aspect of life for all of us, the environment around us, how we connect with others, and connect with ourselves.”