The Care Society: Governance, Political Economy and Social Dialogue for a Transformation with Gender Equality. Executive summary
Work area(s)
The Care Society: Governance, Political Economy and Social Dialogue for a Transformation with Gender Equality. Executive summary
- Publication type: Institutional Documents and Books
- Publication corporate author (Institutional author): NU. CEPAL
- Physical description: 61 pages
- Publisher: ECLAC
- UN symbol (Signature): LC/CRM.16/5
- Date: February, 2026
Abstract
Building the care society is a vital transformation for substantive equality, sustainable development and peace. This paradigm prioritizes the sustainability of life and of the planet, and recognizes care as a need, a right, a public good and as crucial work to boost the economy. It also establishes a synergistic interdependence among people, the environment, and economic and social development.
Governments now have a prime opportunity to drive this transformation and address a growing care crisis —exacerbated by population ageing and climate change effects— that far surpasses existing capacities of services, infrastructure and people to provide care.
This document examines scenarios for achieving the care society and proposes how to effect this change, with assessments and recommendations that underscore governance, political economy and social dialogue, along with cultural change, measurement and financing, as key elements to bring about vital transformations for sustainable development with gender equality.
Table of contents
- Foreword
- Introduction
- I. A multilevel approach to care
- II. Care as a need, a right and work that drives the economy
- III. The role of care in the design and implementation of public policies
- IV. Emerging trends and prospective analysis of the care sector
- V. A paradigm shift: building the care society and gender equality.