This year, PSI established a set of priorities based on its recently adopted Programme of Action, with our care agenda underpinning all of them. Our lobbying strategy was articulated through joint work with the Global Unions.

Overall, CSW68 was a success and a game changer with positive language on PSI’s key priorities on care

The PSI delegation spoke with a clear and unified voice in all the events based on our key priorities, with a special focus on care. Throughout all the events organised by the NGO Forum, by the UN Agencies and Governments, as well as in the main CSW official programme during the High-Level Panel on the Priority Theme, PSI called  attention to the relevance of public care services and decent work for care workers as a main driver for dismantling women’s poverty.

A major shift in the international discourse on care has been moving from discussions on “care as a human right” to “care as a public good”.  During many of the sessions, representatives of the ILO, OHCHR, and UN Women made statements asserting that care is a public good, without any mention of the human rights dimensions of care.

The Agreed Conclusions of the UNCSW68 have confirmed and advanced the language on care and made it very clear that further battles must be won to extend the victories on the 5Rs of our Care Manifesto in other scenarios of the UN system such as the UNHRC and the ILO.

Gloria Mills, Chair of PSI World Women’s Committee said,

“Overall, CSW68 was a success and a game changer with positive language on PSI’s key priorities on care, decent work, public services, promotion of work-life balance and trade unions included in the Agreed Conclusions. These milestones and progress were because of the formidable communications strategy before and during the CSW68 process; and the high numbers of trade union delegates present during the two weeks at CSW68 and the pivotal role of trade unions on some Government delegations.

 The relentless lobbying, strong negotiations and meetings with the different groups and government delegations were critical in achieving those outcomes. The 5Rs of the PSI Care Manifesto is now resonating globally.  However, more sustainable work needs to be done at the global level to cement public care and the social organisation of care as the primary care model for public services; to ensure governments’ take responsibility for the provision of care and that care workers are properly rewarded with decent jobs, pay and pensions.  We will continue to fight for investment in public services, gender and tax justice.”

We will continue to fight for investment in public services, gender and tax justice