In an effort to advance gender equality and the eradication of workplace violence, as well as to organize care workers, Public Services International (PSI) and the National Women's Committee (CNM) of Chile launched the Itinerant Gender School 2024.

The first session was held on July 30-31 in La Serena, and was attended by some 40 women and men representatives of PSI affiliates in Chile, and addressed crucial issues such as gender relations, gender-based violence, international and national regulations, and the challenges for trade union organizations of PSI's care agenda, which included the presentation of the "Chile Cuida" project by regional representatives of the Ministry of Social Development and Family and the national debate on the subject.

The facilitators of the day were the members of the Women's Committee of Chile, Carolina Espinoza, from Confusam; Karin Mendoza, from Anejud; Valeria Altamirano, from Fenpruss and Gina Sennas from Anef. In addition, PSI's sub-regional secretary for the Southern Cone countries, Nayareth Quevedo, facilitated the sessions on care and PSI's agenda.

"PSI promotes a paradigm shift from the care economy to the social organization of care, recognizing its value and advocating for policies that transform gender relations and provide quality public services," stressed the sub-regional secretary for the Southern Cone countries in her intervention, highlighting the importance of PSI's 5Rs for the reconstruction of the social organization of care that includes decent work and public provision of care services.

Trade Union Challenges

"The Itinerant Gender School is a unique opportunity to advance the eradication of gender-based violence and the organization of care in Chile. With a focus on education, training and union action, this program seeks to transform labor and social structures, promoting a more just and equitable future for all," said Carolina Espinoza, representative of the Chilean Women's Committee and Vice President of the Regional Women's Committee, at the end of the day.

For her part, Nayareth Quevedo underscored the challenges facing national trade unions: "The implementation of Convention 190 and the creation of the national care system in Chile are crucial issues that require the active participation of trade unions. We must get involved in these discussions to ensure that effective measures are adopted against gender-based violence at work and that a care system is established that recognizes and values care work as a fundamental right. It is essential that unions become key actors in these processes, promoting inclusive and fair policies for all workers.