CSW69 Side Event on the Care Economy and Cooperatives

Photo UNDP WACA

On March 11, 2025, the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) Side Event took place at the Swedish Church in New York, bringing together a diverse group of experts and advocates to discuss the critical role of cooperatives in transforming the care economy.

UN Photo

UN DESA and the Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives (COPAC) delivered a statement highlighting key insights:

  • ⁠Unpaid care work is valued at $11 trillion, yet remains undervalued in the economy.
  • Cooperatives, like We Effect, are leading efforts to improve conditions for care workers.
  • 2025 marks the International Year of Cooperatives, emphasizing their role in sustainable development.
  • The upcoming Second World Social Summit (Nov 4-6, Doha, Qatar) will review global progress on social inclusion and economic transformation.

The discussion underscored the urgent need for a multi-stakeholder approach to reshape the care economy, ensuring fair pay and better working conditions.

News |
On 12 March, 1995, the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development was signed at the World Summit for Social Development. Never before had so many world leaders come together for such a purpose - to recognize the significance of social development…
News |
The 63rd Session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD63), held from 10 to 14 February 2025, focused on advancing global commitments to social inclusion, resilience, and solidarity in alignment with the Copenhagen Declaration on Social…
News |
As the world prepares for the Second World Summit for Social Development in November 2025, the International Day of Families (IDF) will spotlight the pivotal role of family-oriented policies in advancing sustainable development. Held under the theme…