Topic:
Country: Algeria
Delegate Name: Sophia Mahajerin
UN Women
Unpaid Care and Domestic Work
People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria
Sophia Mahajerin
Forest Hills Eastern High School
Unpaid care and domestic work have deep roots in Algeria, where traditional gender norms have long assigned women the primary responsibility for household labor and caregiving. Algeria was under French rule for nearly 130 years, gaining independence following a revolution in 1962. Its Arabic cultural and Islamic religious roots have shaped the family dynamic far beyond that time frame. This invisible labor, while essential for sustaining families and communities, and while deeply rooted in their culture and traditions, remains unrecognized in official economic statistics, sustaining gender inequality, and holds back the country’s overall development. The United Nations has addressed unpaid care and domestic work through Sustainable Development Goal 5, which calls for its recognition, reduction, and redistribution via public services, infrastructure, and social protection. Additionally, UN Women and the International Labour Organization (ILO) have highlighted its economic value through reports and programs that promote shared responsibility and support systems.
Algeria recognizes the detrimental impact unpaid care and domestic work has had on its citizens, disproportionately affecting women. Algeria does not currently have a national policy specifically addressing unpaid care and domestic work. However, it has made efforts through reforms like the Family Code, and social protection measures such as maternity leave that similarly are geared toward the well being of women. On an international level, Algeria has ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), which calls for the recognition and redistribution of unpaid care work. Additionally, Algeria has committed to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 5, which focuses on gender equality and the reduction of unpaid care work, and has participated in regional conferences organized by the African Union to promote gender equality and support women’s social policies. While Algerian government support on the international level is encouraging, the lack of formal legislation in the country itself continues to be a barrier for meaningful change in the lives of Algerian women. The hope is that these organizations and efforts can turn the tides.
The People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria proposes the implementation of policies that promote shared responsibility between genders. They recommend increased support for resources to help with childcare and eldercare, which is a main source of unpaid work burden. Policies that direct public money into projects that make resources more accessible are important for reducing the burden of unpaid labor, especially in developing countries. Algeria recommends adopting government-sponsored efforts at improving infrastructure in ways that reduce time-intensive household tasks that fall disproportionately on women in the household, such as gathering water. We would like to see a decrease in the amount of unpaid work that falls on women. Algeria commits to worldwide efforts in order to improve the circumstances of women across the world who face similar issues.
