During the 69th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), delegates from Public Services International (PSI) and representatives of the Brazilian National Federation of Nurses (FNE) urged not to postpone the debate on the care system in the UN Platform for Action.

"The urgent discussion of the care system is essential for Brazil. We cannot allow this priority issue to be transferred to 2029," emphasized Shirley Morales, vice-president of the FNE, during the meeting with the Brazilian Minister of Women, Cida Gonçalves.

The meeting, held at the Brazilian Consulate in New York on Tuesday, March 12, was attended by nearly 100 representatives of social movements, parliamentarians and government officials. PSI delegates and nursing union leaders reaffirmed that universal access to care is a fundamental right and a key element in guaranteeing the rights of women in their diversity.

Morales presented alarming data on the increase in maternal mortality and various forms of gender violence in Brazil, warning that postponing the discussion on an effective care system could cost lives. "The care system is closely linked to health care and the strengthening of the Unified Health System (SUS). It is not an issue that can wait," he argued.

Minister Gonçalves agreed on the urgency of the issue and suggested the creation of a thematic group within the CSW69 to discuss a multi-year plan to keep the issue on the international agenda. The FNE and PSI would be included in this instance, in recognition of their role in defending the rights of women health workers.

In line with this position, the National Federation of Nurses and the São Paulo State Nurses Union sent a letter on March 11 supporting PSI's proposal to keep the debate on care systems on the international agenda for 2027, thus avoiding a postponement that would compromise the rights and lives of thousands of women in Brazil and in the region.

The pressure from trade unions and social movements seeks to ensure that CSW69 does not postpone a crucial debate for social and gender justice, guaranteeing concrete commitments to the implementation of accessible and equitable care systems.