Shouldn’t every mother have the right to social security?

28.11.21

UN Geneva, Human Rights Council – On the occasion of an intersessional panel discussion on ‘The right to social security in the changing world of work ‘, MMM reaffirmed the critical importance, relevance, and legitimacy of the right to social security for unpaid caregivers, especially mothers. We also stressed the need to change narratives around unpaid care work and social protection.

In her intervention, Shahra Razavi, Director of the Social protection department of the International Labour organisation (ILO), recalled that the right to social security is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which most member states have ratified. She also stressed that investing in social protection is necessary for development and that it pays off: it reduces poverty and inequality, and it expands people’s life choices. The impediments which are often put forward include financing and informal work, but these are policy choices and laws to change. Social protection could and should cover all types of workers.

We at MMM go even further and argue that the right to social security should also apply to unpaid caregivers, in particular mothers.

The Covid crisis has exposed how the inequitable distribution of care responsibilities is a source of economic injustice for women, and the challenges that most mothers and other unpaid caregivers face in trying to juggle care with paid work.

Investing in Care and supporting women, parents and other caregivers doing the essential yet unpaid and mostly invisible work must be at the heart of a new social contract.

As part of such a contract, unpaid care work must be recognized as work, essential work, which sustains the economy and benefits society as a whole. It must therefore be recognized as being our collective responsibility.

This means that every unpaid caregiver should have access to social security just like any other worker. In particular, every mother should have access to income security, healthcare, pension rights and full maternity protection.

Social protection must also be considered as an investment, not as an expense to be minimized. Supporting caregivers, parents especially, through adequate public services AND social protection is investing in people and families. Ultimately it is also about investing in children that brings high returns, especially for vulnerable families.

To summarize, the pandemic provides a unique opportunity for systemic changes and a new social contract, and this begins by changing narratives:

  1. Unpaid family care work IS work, essential work
  2. Supporting this unpaid care work through social protection is both our collective responsibility and an investment
  3. The right to social security must therefore be part of a new social contract – where care and education are central

Download MMM Statement

The HRC Intersessional panel discussion of the Human Rights Council on the right to social security in the changing world of work took place on 1st November 2021. With its oral statement, MMM contributed to Panel 4: the right to social security at the heart of the new social contract.

The report of this intersessional panel, which features MMM intervention, was presented at the 49th session of the Human Rights Council.

 

Most read articles

Mothers, unpaid care work and global crises – connecting the dots

02.07.24

UN New York / HLPF - Register now to join us online at this year’s High Level Political Forum side-event.

Lire plus

Let’s change the narrative: Invest in Mothers

11.03.24

UN New York, CSW68 - Join us for a discussion on changing the narrative in support of mothers - an online parallel event to the 68th UN Commission on the

Lire plus

Widowed mothers: MMM calls for addressing the distinct challenges they face

20.06.24

UN Geneva, Human Rights Council - MMM was invited to contribute to a side-event organised by Widows Rights International to discuss the unique challenges faced by widows who are mothers,

Lire plus
See all the articlesof the category

Latest News from MMM and its Network

Sharing the care, key for equity and the wellbeing of all

18.02.25

UN New York - Here is a look back at our side-event to the Commission on Social Development that took place earlier in February. 'Sharing is caring: equal parenting, a path to social cohesion’ presented the k

Read more

Strengthening the care ecosystem: key to building a cohesive society

13.02.25

UN New York - MMM's oral statement to the UN Commission on Social Development highlighted the central and unique role of Care for social cohesion and social development, reminding the lessons drawn from the Cov

Read more

Sharing is caring:
equal parenting, a path to social cohesion?

27.01.25

UN New York, UN Commission on Social Development – Register now to our virtual side-event for a discussion on how a more equal sharing of unpaid care and domestic work can contribute to social cohesion and so

Read more

New Year, renewed commitment: our grassroots members speak out for mothers

23.01.25

We are delighted to share our latest video featuring the richness, strength and commitment of our global network. They have come together with one voice to share their priorities for mothers everywhere.

Read more

MMM calls for placing Motherhood at the centre of gender equality

17.01.25

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995), MMM was invited to participate in an expert’s hearing organised by  the European Economic and Social Com

Read more

Mothers must be recognised and supported as essential drivers of social development

08.01.25

UN New York - Thirty years after the first World Summit on Social Development in Copenhagen, where Member States committed to prioritise the eradication of poverty, full employment and social inclusion in devel

Read more