Topic: 2024-Unpaid Care and Domestic Work
Country: United Kingdom
Delegate Name: Audrey Krajewski
ECOSOC Committee: UN Women
Country: United Kingdom
Delegate Name: Audrey Krajewski
Topic: Unpaid Care and Domestic Work
The Delegation of the United Kingdom recognizes that unpaid care and domestic labor are crucial to the functioning of society and the economy of every nation. We acknowledge that this labor is overwhelmingly shouldered by women, often without adequate recognition, financial compensation, and support. The UK government is committed to addressing the disproportionate burden of unpaid care on women by promoting gender equality and reducing the barriers that unpaid care creates for women’s participation in the workforce.
In the United Kingdom, this unequal distribution of labor has tangible economic consequences. A 2016 report from the Women’s Budget Group estimated that unpaid care work is worth £77.5 billion annually to the UK economy, yet this work remains largely invisible and uncompensated. This lack of formal recognition further exacerbates gender inequality, limiting women’s economic potential and contributing to the persistent gender pay gap. The United Kingdom recognizes that we are not alone in these GDP losses.
Therefore, the United Kingdom calls for the formal recognition of unpaid care and domestic labor through the introduction of financial incentives targeted at caregivers, primarily women. In particular, we propose expanding the United Kingdom’s Carer’s Allowance policy, a financial benefit currently available to those who provide substantial care to family members. Further, we advocate for the creation of a national registry that would track the number of unpaid caregivers in households, providing data that can be used to inform policy and ensure that caregivers receive necessary support.
The United Kingdom recognizes the importance of education and skills development in reducing gender inequality. As a result, we propose creating more accessible pathways for women to return to education or enter the workforce after caregiving breaks. This includes increasing funding for scholarships, particularly for women pursuing careers in high-demand fields such as STEM, healthcare, and education. Additionally, we recommend expanding vocational training programs to allow women who have gained caregiving experience to transition into paid care sectors like nursing, early childhood education, or social work.
The United Kingdom appreciates the work done by several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and international organizations that are addressing unpaid care work and looks forward to employing the help of Plan International, Save the Children, and CARE in order to maximize opportunities for women worldwide. Finally, the United Kingdom is committed to working within international frameworks, including the United Nations and the International Labour Organization (ILO), to ensure the development of global standards for recognizing and supporting unpaid care work.
The United Kingdom looks forward to working with all countries in the United Nations body to create innovative solutions that provide solutions to Sustainable Development Goals 4 (Quality Education), 5 (Gender Equality), and 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). Through a combination of policy reform, financial support, access to services, and educational initiatives, we believe that women can be empowered to balance caregiving responsibilities with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Work Cited
https://www.wbg.org.uk/
https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance/eligibility
https://sdgs.un.org/goals
https://www.ilo.org/
https://www.humanrightscareers.com/issues/ngos-right-to-education/
