Care is a collective responsibility
13.07.22
UN New York - Our virtual #HLPF event, which took place on the margins of the annual UN conference that assesses progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, saw expert speakers discuss why #SharingTheCare at every level - family, community, governments and private sector - is vital for gender equality and the wellbeing of all. The event’s main conclusion was that Care must be a collective responsibility, and that if the participation of men and boys, both inside and outside the home, in care work is essential to bring about a more equitable society, everyone, every stakeholder should also take their share of responsibility - and costs.
Our main objective for the event, titled ‘In this together: share the care, transform tomorrow‘, was to lay the ground for more caring societies.
Addressing the inequity of unpaid care work is key to advance women’s rights and improving relationships both inside and outside the home.
As our moderator Nikki van der Gaag stressed, ‘we are talking about millions of hours work done in the home. Our world simply wouldn’t work without unpaid care work. It represents 9% of the total GDP […] This work is not a burden. It is joyful. Unpaid care work should be at the centre of the Covid-19 recovery.’
Soon to come, a full report and key takeaways from the discussion.
Recording of the event
Program
Welcome & introduction
- Opening video: #UnpaidCareWorkCounts – with thanks to CartoonBase
- Anne-Claire de Liedekerke, President, Make Mothers Matter
- Introductory video featuring MMM associate members AJAD (Cote d’Ivoire), Otitsara (Madagascar) and En Avant Les Enfants (DRC) on why and how they support #SharingTheCare
Moderator:
- Nikki van der Gaag, Independent gender consultant and Senior Fellow Equimundo; MMM Board Member, Steering Committee member of MenEngage Europe
- Introductory video by MenCare : Join the mouvement Time for action
Panel:
- Ilaria Buscaglia, Head of Programs, Rwanda Men’s Resource Center (RWAMREC), a MenCare partner organisation running the program P in Rwanda – Powerpoint presentation
- Suna Hanoz-Penney, Director of Strategy, International Programs and Partnerships, ACEV, Turkey – Powerpoint presentation
- Lorena Villavicencio, former MP, Mexico – Powerpoint presentation
- Françoise Cardoso, Director Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, Breastfeeding Support, Danone France – Powerpoint presentation
↛ See also our pre-event article with background information, speakers bio, and additional resources.
Share
Share
Print
Email
Europe Must Listen to Mothers: Our landmark report heads to the European Parliament
28.08.25
On 22 September 2025, the voices of mothers will take centre stage in Brussels. For the first time, Make Mothers Matter (MMM) will present its State of Motherhood in Europe
Belgian Mothers Face Alarming Rates of Burnout and Perinatal Depression, New EU Survey Finds
03.07.25
Belgian mothers are facing a mental health crisis. According to the State of Motherhood in Europe 2024 survey by Make Mothers Matter (MMM) and Kantar, Belgium reports the highest rates
Parental Mental Health Takes Centre Stage at the French National Assembly
02.04.25
Paris, France – On April 2nd, Make Mothers Matter was honoured to have key findings from its State of Motherhood in Europe 2024 report cited at the French National Assembly
