Introduction of the Public Care System and its Fourth Pillar
On May 21, 2025, in Mexico City, the Head of Government, Clara Brugada Molina, presided over the installation of the Promoting Board of the Public Care System and the inauguration of the first “Casa de las 3Rs del Cuidado” (Revalue, Redistribute, and Reduce Care) in the Bueno Aires neighborhood. This event marks a significant step towards establishing a state of well-being that recognizes and guarantees the right to care.
Honoring Ximena Guzmán Cuevas
The inauguration was marked by an emotional tribute to Ximena Josefina Guzmán Cuevas, whose name will now be bestowed upon the “Casa de las 3Rs del Cuidado” in her honor. Brugada Molina stated, “This is the first public care system to be inaugurated by Mexico City, and many more will follow.” She emphasized that one of the main focuses is to expand such initiatives in spaces like Pilares, Utopías, and other locations.
The Public Care System: A Cornerstone of Mexico City’s Well-being
The Public Care System of Mexico City is a crucial component of the well-being state, aiming to ensure justice for caregivers, predominantly women, who have the right to care as children, individuals with disabilities, and the elderly.
This comprehensive initiative, with a gender and rights perspective, guarantees the right to care as stipulated by Mexico City’s constitution. The system’s task is to establish Public Care Centers (the “3Rs”) across various neighborhoods and spaces, not just territorially but also in other locations.
“Casa de las 3Rs” Objectives
The primary goal of the “Casa de las 3Rs” is to revalue, reduce, and redistribute the burden of unpaid care work. It aims to provide services that allow individuals to alleviate some of these responsibilities:
- Child care and development centers for girls and boys aged 6 months to 6 years.
- Free public laundry service.
- Community kitchen serving affordable and healthy meals for takeout at 11 pesos per portion.
- Daycare center for senior citizens.
- Centers for attending to individuals with disabilities, including neurodivergent individuals, speech and language issues, and rehabilitation spaces with adapted swimming pools.
- “The Challenge is to Care” room, targeting men to learn about their caregiving responsibilities.
Additional amenities include a cybernaut room, lactation area, comprehensive health services (including free clinical lab tests, general medical care, dental care, pediatrics, gynecology, nutrition, geriatrics, and mental health), and plans to install 100 mammography machines in Utopías for breast cancer prevention.
Financial Support and Future Plans
Brugada Molina announced the upcoming launch of the “La Ciudad Cuida a Quienes Cuida” (The City Cares for Those Who Care) program, which will provide direct financial support to individuals caring for completely dependent individuals, acknowledging the invaluable work they do.
The goal is to establish 200 “3Rs” houses in Mexico City, located in Utopías, Pilares, and new spaces. Additionally, 300 care and child development centers will be built within the next six years, ensuring that every girl and boy in the city has a guaranteed care space within 20 years.
Brugada Molina described the Public Care System as “essentially revolutionary and transformative,” expressing enthusiasm for beginning these significant changes.
The Fifth Pillar of Well-being: Five Values and the 5Rs
During the event, Brugada Molina introduced the fifth pillar of well-being to Mexico City residents: five values embodied in the 5Rs (Recognize, Reduce, Redistribute, Remunerate, and Represent) to prioritize the right to care and build a city where everyone can live with dignity.
Araceli Damián González, the Secretary of Well-being and Social Equality of Mexico City, presented this new well-being pillar as a project designed to maximize the potential of women, girls, and individuals with disabilities, enabling full and dignified community integration.
Citlalli Hernández Mora, the Secretary of Women for the Government of Mexico, acknowledged Mexico City as a leader in rights and liberties, setting an example for national care system development. She emphasized that this new space for reducing, redistributing, and recognizing care—mainly borne by women—will support all caregivers and those requiring care.
The installation of the Public Care System Promoting Board marks the initial step in intergovernmental coordination, responsible for implementing the system and completing the Public Care System legislative initiative, aiming for comprehensive legislation with gender and rights perspectives.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the Public Care System? It’s a crucial component of Mexico City’s well-being, ensuring justice for caregivers and guaranteeing the right to care.
- Who is Ximena Guzmán Cuevas? She’s a notable figure whose name is now bestowed upon the first “Casa de las 3Rs del Cuidado” in Mexico City.
- What services does the “Casa de las 3Rs” offer? It provides child care, laundry services, community kitchen, senior care, disability support centers, and more.
- What is the “La Ciudad Cuida a Quienes Cuida” program? It’s a financial support initiative for individuals caring for completely dependent individuals.
- How many “3Rs” houses and care centers will be established? There are plans to install 200 “3Rs” houses and build 300 care and child development centers within six years.
