Background on the Mexican Government’s Request
In the latter part of this year, the Mexican government approached the Inter-American Development Bank (BID) for support in two projects aimed at strengthening the National Care System. The total budget for these projects is $1,520,000 and they focus on training caregivers for children and developing a long-term care strategy for the elderly.
Cooperative Technical Assistance
The Secretaría de Hacienda y Crédito Público (SHCP) explained to El Economista that this support comes in the form of non-refundable technical cooperations with BID resources. These funds are used by the organization to hire experts and cover associated costs for project development.
“No government institution in Mexico manages these resources,” stated the department under Édgar Amador Zamora.
Project Details
First Project: ME-T1557
The first cooperation is the project ME-T1557, which supports the construction of a progressive national care system and the implementation of equality and inclusion strategies. With a budget of $750,000, it was approved on September 5th. The aim is to close social gaps and promote women’s labor participation by strengthening care-related actions, programs, and public policies.
- Support the development of the National Care System through the design and implementation of a caregiver training strategy for those working in Child Education and Care Centers (CECI).
- Diagnose skill gaps and design professionalization schemes for caregivers in Mexico.
Second Project: ME-T1566
The second project, ME-T1566, focuses on designing and implementing long-term care services and preventing dependency in Mexico. Approved on December 1st for $770,000, it is financed jointly by the BID and the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
Its purpose is to support the design and implementation of long-term care service and prevention policies. Specialized technical activities will contribute to decision-making in economic productivity matters.
Context: Women as Caregivers in Mexico
In Mexico, the National Care System faces significant challenges, particularly regarding women who primarily care for children, sick or disabled individuals, and the elderly. According to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography, 75 out of every 100 caregivers in Mexico are women.
The National Household Income and Expenditure Survey 2024 revealed that, on average, women dedicate 12% more weekly hours to work, care, and domestic chores compared to men. Women allocate 76.1 hours per week to this triple burden.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the purpose of these projects? These projects aim to strengthen the National Care System in Mexico by training caregivers and creating a long-term care strategy for the elderly.
- Who is funding these projects? The BID is providing non-refundable technical cooperations for these projects.
- What are the two main projects? The first project, ME-T1557, focuses on building a progressive care system and promoting women’s labor participation. The second project, ME-T1566, supports the design and implementation of long-term care service policies.
- Why is this important for Mexico? In Mexico, women make up the majority of caregivers, facing significant challenges balancing work, care, and domestic responsibilities. These projects aim to address these issues by training caregivers and creating a sustainable care system.
