Introduction to Fátima Masse and the Caregiving Disparity
Fátima Masse, co-founder of Noubi Advisors, emphasizes that “behind every working woman is a story of caregiving.” This reality must be acknowledged by companies aiming to attract more women into the workforce. According to the latest data from Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography, women dedicate an average of 21.5 more hours per week than men to unpaid work.
The Role of Working Conditions and Gender Stereotypes
Masse explains in the Coffee Break podcast by El Economista that working conditions either facilitate or hinder the utilization of talent. Unpaid care work, predominantly done by women, impacts their chances of entering, staying, and advancing in the labor market, as well as their earnings. She stresses that flexibility is key to rebalancing caregiving tasks and that such policies should not be gender-specific, as this could lead to the “mommy track,” limiting women’s career progression.
International Day for Care and Support: Addressing Challenges in Balancing Unpaid Tasks
October 29 marks the International Day for Care and Support, established by the United Nations in 2023 to raise awareness about the importance of care. In this context, it’s crucial to reflect on the challenges in balancing unpaid tasks.
Gender Stereotypes and Organizational Barriers
Masse points out that gender stereotypes at the individual level are mirrored within organizations. For instance, when a man expresses a desire to leave early to care for his newborn, employers may doubt his sincerity, discouraging such behavior.
The SNC: Necessary but Not a Sole Solution
A pending discussion in Mexico is the National Care System (SNC). According to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), investing in care policies could help Mexico achieve a female labor force participation rate of 58% by 2035.
While the SNC is necessary, Masse clarifies that its approval won’t automatically yield results. It must be well-analyzed, identifying the most significant caregiving gaps. She argues that a National Care System is merely one of many required actions to rebalance unpaid tasks.
Economic Implications of Balancing Caregiving Tasks
Balancing caregiving tasks is an economic issue. Enabling more women to enter and grow in the labor market not only benefits individual careers but also boosts the economy. If Mexican women had an economic participation rate similar to that of OECD countries, the country’s growth would be three times faster.
Key Questions and Answers
- What does Fátima Masse emphasize about working women? Behind every working woman is a story of caregiving, and companies must acknowledge this reality to attract more women into the workforce.
- What are the impacts of unpaid care work on women’s labor market participation? Unpaid care work predominantly done by women affects their chances of entering, staying, and advancing in the labor market, as well as their earnings.
- What is the significance of the International Day for Care and Support? Established by the UN in 2023, this day aims to raise awareness about the importance of care and encourage reflection on balancing unpaid tasks.
- Why is the SNC necessary but not a sole solution? The SNC, while crucial, requires thorough analysis to identify significant caregiving gaps and should be part of a broader set of actions to rebalance unpaid tasks.
- What are the economic implications of balancing caregiving tasks? Enabling more women to participate in the labor market not only benefits individual careers but also contributes to a stronger economy.
