I-7 Is there collaboration with other agencies of the United Nations System or other partners?
Yes
II-1 Justification of the initiative
In Mexico, women spend an average of 14.6 more hours per week on unpaid care work than men. In Mexico City, women spend 10.8 hours more per week on average (ENUT, 2019). As a result, women are much more time-poor than men. Further, nine out of ten people who leave the labour market for unpaid care responsibilities are women, and 48.9% of women who are the primary caregivers for another person do not have a job or the time to look for one. Nearly half of the women caregivers who do have a job or are looking for one cannot dedicate more than 35 hours per week to paid work (ENASIC, 2023). Additionally, in Mexico City, there is also a gap in the percentage of women and men in labour poverty, with 33% and 28.2% respectively (CONEVAL, 2024).
II-10 Focus on other branches of economic activity
No sectoral focus
II-11 Focus on certain categories of enterprises or economic units according to their size
Micro enterprises
II-11 Focus on certain categories of enterprises or economic units according to their size
Small enterprises
II-11 Focus on certain categories of enterprises or economic units according to their size
Medium enterprises
II-11 Focus on certain categories of enterprises or economic units according to their size
Not applicable
II-12 Focus on specific status in employment
Employees
II-12 Focus on specific status in employment
Employers
II-12 Focus on specific status in employment
Own-account workers
II-13 Focus on other specific categories of workers and employers, not captured elsewhere
Domestic workers
II-13 Focus on other specific categories of workers and employers, not captured elsewhere
Community health and care workers
II-13 Focus on other specific categories of workers and employers, not captured elsewhere
Childcare workers (for children ages 0-start of primary school)
II-13 Focus on other specific categories of workers and employers, not captured elsewhere
Primary and secondary school teachers
II-13 Focus on other specific categories of workers and employers, not captured elsewhere
Personal care and/or assistance workers
II-13 Focus on other specific categories of workers and employers, not captured elsewhere
Workers in the informal economy
II-14 Focus on specific groups of population / persons prioritized in the initiative
Women
II-14 Focus on specific groups of population / persons prioritized in the initiative
Men
II-14 Focus on specific groups of population / persons prioritized in the initiative
Mothers
II-14 Focus on specific groups of population / persons prioritized in the initiative
Fathers
II-14 Focus on specific groups of population / persons prioritized in the initiative
Persons with other care responsibilities
II-14 Focus on specific groups of population / persons prioritized in the initiative
Young people
II-14 Focus on specific groups of population / persons prioritized in the initiative
People with disabilities
II-14 Focus on specific groups of population / persons prioritized in the initiative
Older persons
II-14 Focus on specific groups of population / persons prioritized in the initiative
Children
II-15 Has the initiative been developed through effective social dialogue processes and inter-institutional coordination mechanisms?
Yes, through social dialogue
II-15 Has the initiative been developed through effective social dialogue processes and inter-institutional coordination mechanisms?
Yes, inter-institutional coordination mechanisms
II-2 Objectives and description of the initiative
The Public Care System for Wellness in Mexico City aims to:Coordinate, improve, expand coverage, and create new public care services that promote the development of autonomy from a territorial proximity approach.Reduce labour and time poverty among women unpaid carers and improve the conditions in which they perform this work.Promote social co-responsibility to recognize, redistribute, and reduce unpaid care work.
II-3 Type of initiative
National/local law
II-3 Type of initiative
Policy / strategy
II-3 Type of initiative
Plan / roadmap
II-4 Which of the Rs in the 5R Framework for Decent Care Work guides this initiative?
Recognition, reduction and redistribution of unpaid care
II-5 Which is the main policy area of the 5R Framework for Decent Care Work does the practice focus on?
Care policies
II-6 Which other policy areas of the 5R Framework for Decent Care Work does the practice focus on?
Employment policies
II-6 Which other policy areas of the 5R Framework for Decent Care Work does the practice focus on?
Skills policies
II-7 Which policies or measures to advance decent work in the care economy does the practice focus on?
Design and implement integrated and coherent care policies and systems for decent work and gender equality
II-7 Which policies or measures to advance decent work in the care economy does the practice focus on?
Mainstream care into relevant public policies
II-7 Which policies or measures to advance decent work in the care economy does the practice focus on?
Addressing the undervaluation of care work by raising public awareness
II-7 Which policies or measures to advance decent work in the care economy does the practice focus on?
Work-life balance policies and measures, including organization, time and location of work, and other terms and conditions of employment
II-7 Which policies or measures to advance decent work in the care economy does the practice focus on?
Enhancing the availability of assistance and support services for persons with disabilities to promote individual autonomy and independence
II-7 Which policies or measures to advance decent work in the care economy does the practice focus on?
Collecting and disseminating data on unpaid and paid care work
II-8 Which beneficiaries in the care economy does the practice focus on?
Unpaid carers (workers or persons with care responsibilities, parents, other family members, etc.)
II-8 Which beneficiaries in the care economy does the practice focus on?
Paid care workers (nurses, domestic workers, teachers, childcare workers, personal assistants, etc.)
II-8 Which beneficiaries in the care economy does the practice focus on?
Care recipients (children, older persons, persons with disabilities, etc.)
II-9 Geographical scope
Urban and rural
III-1 In a short paragraph, summarize the main results and impacts obtained
The right to care was included in the Political Constitution of Mexico City. The Public Care System was established in 2024.A cash transfer system was put into place. The beneficiary population consists of 2,000 caregivers of individuals with permanent, severe disabilities and/or older persons who cannot care for themselves. This group will include both women and men. Following a criterion of substantive equality, the registry of beneficiaries is composed of at least 1,800 women, meaning that women represent at least 90% of the registry.
III-2 Explanation of the innovative element of the initiative for advancing decent work in the care economy
An innovative element was the decision of the Government of México City to include the right to care in their Political Constitution. Additionally, “care georeferencing” was developed in the city to map related care services. This initiative will inform and guide the building of 200 new social centers, strategically located to provide some health services and activities and social support, improving the quality of life for caregivers and those they care for.
IV-1 What were the main challenges or difficulties during the design and implementation? How were they faced/ addressed?
One significant challenge was political stability. To address this, ILO’s technical assistance prioritized engaging with political actors and leaders. By securing their support and involvement, the initiative was able to navigate political hurdles. The involvement of feminist women's association and labour unions helped to build trust and ensure that the initiative was inclusive and representative of the interests of these key stakeholders.
IV-2 Lessons learned and good practices, including room and opportunities for improvement
One lesson learned is the way the Mexico City government manages policy within its jurisdiction, and from there, promotes the care agenda up to the level of the federal government. Additionally, its policy management involves having a clear vision for the provision of care services at the local level within the territory. This vision includes mapping out existing care services, identifying gaps, and strategically planning the development of new facilities and programs to meet the needs of the population.
IV-3 Key conditions for success
Strong political will Clear strategic vision and strategic planningBroad stakeholder engagementAdequate funding and resourcesAdequate selection criteria for beneficiaries
IV-4 Key conditions for sustainability
The sustainability of the initiative over time also depends on the approval of the National Care Policy, which would ensure its financial sustainability, despite local resources, and its scalability.
IV-5 Potential for transferability, expansion and replicability in other countries and contexts
Comisión Interinstitucional del Sistema de Cuidados para el Bienestar