Brazil and ILO Launch Regional Initiative to Transform Care Economy Across Latin America

The launch reflects a growing global recognition that care systems—covering childcare, eldercare, and support for people with disabilities—are not just social services, but critical economic infrastructure.

In a major step toward reshaping social protection systems and advancing gender equality, the Government of Brazil and the International Labour Organization (ILO) have launched a new regional initiative aimed at strengthening care policies across Latin America and the Caribbean.

The project, unveiled in Brasília under the Brazil–ILO South–South Cooperation Programme "Social Justice for the Global South", is designed to accelerate knowledge-sharing and policy development in one of the most pressing yet under-recognised sectors of modern economies: the care economy.

At its core, the initiative seeks to expand access to care services for those in need—while also improving working conditions, recognition, and rights for caregivers, a workforce largely made up of women and often operating in informal or undervalued roles.

A Strategic Shift Toward Care as Economic Infrastructure

The launch reflects a growing global recognition that care systems—covering childcare, eldercare, and support for people with disabilities—are not just social services, but critical economic infrastructure.

In many countries across the Global South, care responsibilities remain unevenly distributed, with women performing a disproportionate share of unpaid work. This imbalance limits labour force participation, reinforces gender inequality, and constrains economic growth.

By addressing these structural challenges, the Brazil–ILO initiative aims to:

• Expand formal care services and improve accessibility

• Promote decent work standards within the care sector

• Reduce unpaid care burdens, particularly on women

• Strengthen social protection systems and labour rights

South–South Cooperation at the Core

Unlike traditional development models, the project is built on South–South cooperation, enabling countries facing similar socio-economic realities to exchange solutions directly.

"South–South Cooperation is not limited to the exchange of experiences—it is about building a shared regional agenda to promote decent work and social justice," said Ana Virgínia Moreira Gomes, ILO Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean.

The initiative is closely aligned with the Global South4Care platform, which promotes collaborative approaches to care policy innovation across developing economies.

Backed by Brazil's National Care Policy

The programme builds on Brazil's recent legislative progress, particularly the adoption of its National Care Policy (Law No. 15.069/2024)—a landmark framework that recognises care as a public policy priority.

Brazil's experience will serve as a reference model for partner countries, offering insights into:

• Legal frameworks for care systems

• Governance structures and coordination mechanisms

• Financing strategies for sustainable service delivery

• Integration of care into broader social and economic policy

Officials say this positions Brazil as a regional leader in advancing the care agenda.

Regional Collaboration to Address Shared Challenges

The project, titled "Care Policies in Latin America: South–South Cooperation," will connect countries across Latin America and the Caribbean facing common challenges, including:

• Ageing populations

• High levels of informal employment

• Limited access to formal care services

• Unequal distribution of unpaid care work

By fostering direct collaboration, the initiative aims to co-develop solutions tailored to regional realities rather than relying on one-size-fits-all models.

Four Pillars to Drive Implementation

The programme will be implemented during the 2026–27 biennium and structured around four key pillars:

1. Engagement of partner countries interested in advancing care policies

2. Country-level projects and technical cooperation activities

3. Regional forums and knowledge-sharing platforms

4. Systematisation of lessons learned to strengthen future cooperation

These pillars are designed to ensure both immediate impact and long-term capacity-building across participating countries.

A Growing Focus on the Care Economy

The care economy is increasingly seen as a major driver of inclusive growth. Studies suggest that investment in care services can generate millions of jobs globally while improving social outcomes such as health, education, and gender equality.

Cecília Malaguti of the Brazilian Cooperation Agency highlighted the dual focus of the initiative:

"The care agenda is a priority for Brazil. We are advancing it both from a decent work perspective, in partnership with the ILO, and from a gender perspective, supporting implementation while promoting exchanges across the Global South."

Strengthening Global South Leadership

The initiative reflects a broader shift in global development dynamics, recognising the innovation capacity of Global South countries in addressing labour and social policy challenges.

By generating practical tools, policy frameworks, and shared experiences, the programme is expected to influence not only regional strategies but also international labour standards and cooperation models.

A Long-Standing Partnership

The new project builds on more than 15 years of collaboration between Brazil and the ILO. Since its launch in 2009, the Brazil–ILO South–South Cooperation Programme has supported initiatives across Latin America, Africa, and Asia, focusing on:

• Decent work and labour rights

• Social protection systems

• Gender and racial equality

• Elimination of child and forced labour

The current phase (2023–27) continues to expand this agenda, with the care economy emerging as a central pillar.

Looking Ahead

As countries across Latin America grapple with demographic change, labour market pressures, and persistent inequality, the success of this initiative could provide a blueprint for integrating care into economic and social policy frameworks.

"This partnership demonstrates our shared commitment to addressing the care deficit through coordinated and sustainable approaches," officials said.

With implementation set to unfold over the next two years, the programme will be closely watched as a potential model for other regions seeking to transform care systems into engines of inclusive growth and social justice.