Here in Canada I have been working for nearly 30 years to try to get governments to value all the work women do, not just
the paid work. The unpaid labor movement has linked me up with organizations and individuals across my country and around
the world. This website shares some useful information that others may wish to consult, quote, use in the ongoing struggle.
I feel strongly and passionately that until women's unpaid caregiving work is valued, we will not have really reached full
equality and dignity. Sure we can do paid work and deserve equality on that front but that is not all we do. Women have
historically done most of the unpaid care work in the home, care of the young, elderly, sick, handicapped and dying. It is
work that society just assumes we will do. And we usually don't even mind but we are tired of the social stigma for doing
it, the financial penalty and pension penalty for doing it. We are working to get governments to value this care role too.
Ironically but fittingly, once we recognize this role, men who do it will also have more choices in career-life balance,
and all those we are taking care of will have more choices in style of care. This is a win-win-win. It is the
only fair policy in a democracy - choices.
