The head of Government of Mexico City, Clara Brugada Molinarecently presented the new Public Care Systema comprehensive strategy that will have a annual investment of 10 billion pesos.
This system is designed to recognize and redistribute care work, historically disproportionately undertaken by women, in an effort to combat gender stereotypes and inequalities.
The objective is to build a caring city, a city that protects those who have cared for us and that promotes equal opportunities between men and women, said Clara Brugada.
The lines of action of the system are focused on the creation of infrastructure, support programs, and the defeminization of care tasks.
“We want to eliminate the perception that women should bear the entire burden of care, establishing a gender equity approach in all our policies,” says Brugada.
The strategy of the Public Care System includes the creation of 200 child care centers, which will be distributed among the 100 new UTOPÍAS, the PILLARS and other public spaces.
These centers will offer child care and development, in addition to having programs such as “From the Cradle,” which will provide economic support and nutritional monitoring to boys and girls from 0 to 3 years old.
Another key component is collaboration with the Federal Educational Authority in Mexico City to increase full-time schools and promote extracurricular activities at the basic level.
In the case of adolescents, the system will address issues of mental health, sexual and reproductive health, and prevention of teenage pregnancies.
The System also includes:
- The construction of rehabilitation units for people with disabilities.
- Day houses and residences for seniorsplacing emphasis on those who live alone or in vulnerable conditions.
- Financial support for those who care for people in a situation of total dependence, a measure that seeks to alleviate the burden of informal caregivers.
Furthermore, the initiative contemplates the socialization of domestic tasks through public laundriescommunity kitchens and recreation spaces in urban areas.
will also be implemented preventive health programs, with services medical, psychological, dental care and other specialists in new community facilities.
The head of Government also announced the creation of the “School of New Masculinities”focused on workshops to encourage greater participation of men in care tasks and family roles, thus reinforcing the values of equity and co-responsibility.
Interview: Time.news Editor Meets Clara Brugada Molina on the New Public Care System
Editor: Welcome, Clara Brugada Molina, head of the Government of Mexico City. We’re excited to discuss your recently unveiled Public Care System. Can you start by explaining the core vision behind this initiative?
Clara Brugada: Thank you for having me. The core vision of the Public Care System is to recognize the invaluable but often invisible care work that has been disproportionately shouldered by women for far too long. We intend to redistribute this burden and build a city that truly cares for its citizens, particularly those who have cared for others. Our goal is to not only combat gender stereotypes but also to foster equal opportunities for men and women in all facets of life.
Editor: It sounds like a significant cultural shift. Can you elaborate on the specific features of this system?
Clara Brugada: Absolutely! We are investing 10 billion pesos annually to lay the groundwork for this transformative approach. One of our primary actions includes the establishment of 200 child care centers across the city. These centers will be strategically placed within the new UTOPÍAS, our PILLARS, and other public areas to ensure accessibility. We want these centers to provide not just child care, but also developmental programs that support both children and parents.
Editor: That’s a substantial investment and a proactive approach. How do you envision these child care centers contributing to the defeminization of care tasks?
Clara Brugada: The creation of these centers is pivotal in changing the narrative around care work. By offering accessible child care, we aim to alleviate the perception that women are solely responsible for this care. Our policy will implement a gender equity framework across all areas, influencing everything from labor policies to social services, thereby encouraging both men and women to share care responsibilities more equally.
Editor: You mention a gender equity approach. What challenges do you anticipate in changing long-standing societal norms, and how can this system address them?
Clara Brugada: The challenges are certainly significant. Societal norms are deeply ingrained, and changing perceptions takes time. However, by promoting public awareness campaigns and integrating care work into educational curricula, we can start to shift mindsets. The Public Care System will engage men in care roles and highlight shared responsibilities, laying the groundwork for sustained change in how families and communities view care work.
Editor: This initiative sounds incredibly promising. How do you plan to measure its success moving forward?
Clara Brugada: Success will be measured through various metrics, including the uptake of services offered by the child care centers, surveys on gender roles within families, and monitoring gender equity in the workforce. We also intend to gather feedback from participants and continuously adapt our programs to ensure they are meeting the evolving needs of our communities.
Editor: It’s inspiring to see a government taking such a thoughtful stance on gender equity and social care. As you implement this system, what message do you hope to send to other cities or countries looking to adopt similar approaches?
Clara Brugada: I hope to send the message that tackling gender inequality starts with recognizing and valuing care work. It is possible to build systems that support all caregivers, create equitable opportunities, and ultimately transform our cities into more caring and inclusive places. If we can lead by example here in Mexico City, I believe other cities will feel empowered to pursue similar paths.
Editor: Thank you, Clara Brugada, for sharing your insights. Your passion for creating a caring and equitable city is evident, and I look forward to seeing the positive impacts of the Public Care System in the future.
Clara Brugada: Thank you for this opportunity to discuss our vision. Together, we can foster a culture of care that benefits everyone.