**Cyprus Advocates for Care Economy in EU Competitiveness Dialogue**
Dublin, Ireland – At a recent high-level conference in Dublin, Josie Christodoulou, Cyprus’ gender equality commissioner, emphasized the importance of treating investment in care services as a critical economic and competitiveness issue, alongside its implications for equality. The conference, titled "The EU’s Equality Advantage: How equality powers competitiveness, innovation and social cohesion," was organized by the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU and Ireland’s Department of Children, Disability and Equality.
The event engaged participants in discussions about the intersection of equality policies and economic performance, focusing on how improved equality can enhance productivity and labor participation across Europe. Christodoulou participated in a panel dedicated to the care economy, where discussions centered on the distribution of caregiving responsibilities and its impact on the labor market.
The care economy encompasses both paid and unpaid caregiving roles, including childcare, support for the elderly, and services for individuals with disabilities. Christodoulou highlighted the disproportionate burden of care that falls on women, referencing data from the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE). According to EIGE, 36% of women dedicate over 35 hours a week to childcare, compared to only 18% of men. Furthermore, 12% of women with caregiving responsibilities have exited the workforce due to these obligations, in contrast to fewer than 5% of men.
The economic implications of these disparities are significant. EIGE presented estimates from Eurofound indicating that the gender employment gap costs the EU economy approximately €390 billion in lost output for 2023. Their research suggests that closing gender gaps could potentially increase EU GDP per capita by up to 10% by 2050, create around 10.5 million new jobs, and generate more than €3 trillion in economic gains.
Christodoulou argued that enhancing access to affordable, quality care services can facilitate greater workforce participation among women, thereby expanding the talent pool available to employers. She pointed to several initiatives being implemented in Cyprus, such as the gradual introduction of compulsory pre-primary education starting at age four, optional all-day schooling, and an extension of parental leave until children reach the age of 15. Additionally, Cyprus is investing in the creation and expansion of multipurpose care centers and 24-hour adult care facilities for the elderly.
However, Christodoulou also underscored the need for a cultural shift regarding caregiving responsibilities. She advocated for a more equitable division of care work between men and women, stressing that men must be actively involved in discussions surrounding care to help dismantle the perception that caregiving is primarily a female responsibility. She posited that fostering this cultural change is equally crucial for achieving gender equality and enhancing economic performance.
The business case for investing in social infrastructure was further supported by EIGE's findings, which suggest that every euro spent on social infrastructure could yield up to €2 in cumulative GDP gains over five years, along with attracting approximately €1.30 in private investment.
The conference also explored the impact of artificial intelligence and digital transformation on employment and workplace dynamics, raising questions about whether new technologies can help mitigate existing inequalities rather than exacerbate them.
On the sidelines of the conference, Christodoulou met with Norma Foley, the Irish Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, to discuss collaborative efforts and share insights on advancing gender equality and care services within the EU framework.
As discussions on the care economy continue to gain traction within the EU, Cyprus is positioning itself as a proactive participant in advocating for policies that not only promote gender equality but also enhance overall economic competitiveness.