Inequality in Unpaid Work: An Analysis from Mexico

Mexico: In the Mexican political landscape, gender inequality in the workplace is a recurrent issue that has gained prominence in the speeches of candidates. Recently, candidate Álvarez Máynez has raised a pressing concern: the unpaid work predominantly shouldered by women in the country.

According to data provided by the Mexican Institute for Competitiveness (Imco), women in Mexico dedicate an average of 40 hours per week to unpaid work, a significant burden that practically equals another full-time workday. This labor includes domestic chores, childcare, and caring for the elderly, among other responsibilities that, though fundamental, are neither recognized nor economically rewarded.

The veracity of this assertion has been corroborated by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), which also notes that these figures vary depending on the income level of women. Those with their own income dedicate 40 hours per week to unpaid work, while women without their own income face an even greater burden, working up to 56 hours per week in these tasks.

This landscape reflects a reality that extends beyond Mexican borders. In Latin America, countries such as Argentina and Chile share this problem with Mexico, where women without their own income also dedicate 56 hours per week to unpaid work. On the other hand, Brazil stands out as an exception, with a lower burden of 28 hours per week for this type of work among economically vulnerable women.

It is evident that inequality in unpaid work is a systemic problem that requires immediate attention. The persistence of this disparity not only affects the economic well-being of women but also perpetuates outdated power structures and gender roles in Mexican society.

The inclusion of this issue in political discourse is a crucial step towards awareness and the search for effective solutions. It is imperative that public policies comprehensively address this inequality, ensuring the recognition and valuation of unpaid work performed by women, as well as the equitable redistribution of domestic and caregiving responsibilities.

In summary, Álvarez Máynez’s call, along with other political leaders, to address inequality in unpaid work is an opportunity to promote meaningful change towards a more just and inclusive society in Mexico.