By Citizen Initiative for the
Promoting the Culture of Dialogue

On November 8th (Cecati 171-Iztapalapa Headquarters) and 13th (Conalep Ecatepec II Headquarters), the Global Opportunity Youth Network (GOYN), Young Community Builders (JCC) and Citizen Initiative held a Participatory Workshop where the participating young men and women integrated their perspectives and presented their proposals that they consider will serve as basic elements to build the Comprehensive Care System in Mexico City.

The main ideas and proposals that emerged during the Participatory Workshop are summarized below:

The importance of care in society

Today we gather to reflect on a crucial topic: caregiving. This activity, essential to human life, encompasses physical, emotional, and social dimensions. Although it is often associated with love and family ties, it also represents work that sustains our communities, especially during critical times such as childhood, old age, illness, or disability.

What do we mean by care?

Caregiving is an essential action that sustains life. It is a universal right, although historically it has fallen disproportionately on women and girls. From prehistoric times, when caring for a partner with a fracture demonstrated the first acts of solidarity, to the present day, it has been a driving force for social cohesion.

Care is essential to human life, encompassing physical, emotional, and social dimensions. It is a universal right that sustains life and guarantees autonomy and equality. For example:

• Ramps for people with reduced mobility are not acts of charity, but measures to ensure independence.
• Public childcare and childcare services are rights, not privileges.

However, historically, its burden has fallen disproportionately on women and girls, creating inequalities that limit their personal, educational, and professional development.

Care as work

Care work, whether paid or unpaid, is a physically and emotionally demanding task that sustains life and the economy. In Mexico, it represents nearly 30% of GDP, surpassing industrial sectors such as manufacturing. Despite its importance, it remains invisible and unequally distributed:

• More than 90% of domestic workers are women, and most lack labor rights.
• Women face a triple work schedule: paid, domestic, and caregiving, which leaves them with little time for personal development.

Impact and inequality

The current system perpetuates economic and social inequalities, limiting women's autonomy and burdening them with the majority of caregiving responsibilities. In Mexico, women spend 1.5 times more time than men on unpaid work, generating:

1. Gender inequality: The increased burden of care limits their educational and employment opportunities.
2. Invisible and emotional load: It generates stress, exhaustion and time poverty.
3. Economic impact: Although it contributes significantly to the economy, its value is not reflected in public policies or social recognition.

Towards shared responsibility

Care must be redistributed among people, the state, the private sector, and civil society. This requires:

1. Recognition of the value of care: Make their relevance visible and promote co-responsibility.
2. Labor rights: Guarantee decent conditions for those who provide these services.
3. Accessible infrastructure and services: Designing full-time schools, daycare centers, and inclusive spaces.
4. Labor flexibility: Engage the private sector through policies that promote a balance between work and care.

The comprehensive care system: An urgent demand

Care is an inalienable human right. Although it has been recognized in the Mexico City Constitution since 2017, its implementation is limited. If we already had the Comprehensive Care System contemplated in the law (which, by the way, is delayed in its implementation), how would this change people's lives? As mothers, students, and workers, what aspects do you consider priority to include in this system?

Among the identified needs are:

• Inform the population: About available programs and their benefits.
• Expand the scope of services: Ensuring adaptability for all ages and conditions.
• Promote a cultural change: Question the sexual division of labor and promote shared responsibility between men and women.

The care system must recognize the multiple dimensions of people:

• Intersectionality: Care demands are not homogeneous. There are intersections of identity (being a mother, a student, a worker, a person with a disability, among others) that must be considered to design truly inclusive policies.
• Job offers and trainingIt is essential that policies promote access to employment and training opportunities tailored to the needs of those with caregiving responsibilities.

In summaryThe demand raised by young people is clear: a comprehensive, accessible, and flexible care system that alleviates family responsibilities and allows people to fully develop. Promoting equality and well-being is an urgent challenge that requires the active participation of all sectors of society. Without care, there is no life or development possible.

Key questionIf you had the opportunity to speak with your local representatives or legislators, what would you specifically ask of them to address your care needs?

Conclusion:

The conversation reflected the urgent need for a Comprehensive Care System that alleviate current burdens, promote equality, and guarantee access to essential services for all people, especially young people in vulnerable situations. Redistributing care is essential to building equitable and sustainable societies. It is a reminder that care is not just an individual responsibility, but a pillar for sustaining life and society.