Europe has an ageing population, with a reliance on social care that will only get heavier.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of a functioning social care system, but also its precarious financial situation, which has been made worse by shrinking social care budgets.
These cuts hit women hardest because it is usually women who shoulder the burden of unpaid care of children and the elderly.
Those working in the social care sector are not as valued as they should be.
What is the solution?
This mission is to ensure social care for all by:
Investing public money in the “care economy” according to its needs, which can be shown by a regular “wealth and well-being” report highlighting the advantages of good quality care in a welfare state.
Ensuring that employed care workers enjoy decent work and pay.
Comprehensively implementing the EU directive on parental leave, fostering more equal burden-sharing by encouraging men to take on their fair share of unpaid work, thus giving women the chance to achieve economic autonomy.
How would this mission benefit Europeans?
The mission would ensure Europeans have access to quality social care in childhood, in sickness, and in old age.
It would improve the lives of care workers and relieve women from the primary responsibility of unpaid care, thus helping to narrow the wage gap and reduce inequality.
By regular reporting and monitoring, it would also reinforce the sense that the EU is serious about the well-being of all its citizens.
