Inclusion

Social protection and care 

Social protection is a fundamental policy tool to address social exclusion, inequality, and poverty, as recognized by ILO’s 2020 Convention. The COVID-19 pandemic further deepened the existing care crisis and jeopardized the progress made in recent years regarding women’s participation in the labor force. In this context, there is a need to promote public policies to recognize, reduce and redistribute care work and promote a change in the current sexual division of labor, in addition to consolidating the consideration of care as a universal right, regardless of the state of need that the person may be experiencing. 

UNDP accompanies countries in the analysis of policies and programs to design the supply of care services and policies at the national and local levels. This involves an analysis of infrastructure and services for early childhood care, older persons and persons with disabilities.

Multidimensional poverty 

Poverty measurement methodologies have evolved over time, moving from a predominantly monetary approach to a multidimensional approach.  Since 2010, there has been a Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) developed by UNDP and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), which is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. This index, which is based on the Alkire-Foster methodology, incorporates indicators in three dimensions: health, education, and quality of life. However, the existing MPIs offer a still partial picture of women's poverty and its causes.

For this reason, UNDP is working to deepen the measurement of women's poverty and its specificities. In particular, we are currently developing a Multidimensional Poverty Index with a focus on women, which has a regional scope and constitutes an innovative proposal.

Financing 

Women's financial inclusion has the potential not only to promote women's economic empowerment but has a catalytic effect in closing the gender gap, energizing the labour market, and accelerating sustainable development. Gender roles undermine women's autonomy and financial literacy, and even when they have the skills and tools to make decisions, women are faced with options that do not consider their needs. The creation of a gender-sensitive financial market that promotes the closing of the gap in women's autonomy and financial empowerment is an essential condition for the eradication of structural barriers.

UNDP promotes the adoption of gender-sensitive policies and practices within public and private financial institutions. This is done through the Gender Equality Seal for Financial Institutions. This program, which is implemented in 4 countries in the region, supports an equitable organizational culture that translates into gender-transformative products and services. 

Social norms 

Gender inequality is associated with persistent discriminatory social norms that prescribe social roles and power relations between men and women in society. These social norms are long rooted in patterns of exclusion from household and community decision-making which limit women's opportunities and choices. 

Changes in social norms are complex and gradual, but they are necessary for a profound transformation that leads to more egalitarian and inclusive societies. From UNDP we propose to carry out this profound transformation in favor of gender equality through: i) measuring gender social norms in Latin America and the Caribbean; ii) promoting non-violent masculinities through changes in social norms and individual and community behavior; iii) working hand in hand with the private sector as a catalyst in the transformation of gender social norms. 

Highlights

Training in care and gender: 

Within the framework of the Regional Initiative on Social Protection and Gender of UNDP, ECLAC, ILO and UN Women, the Fourth Edition of the online course "Towards Integrated Care Systems. Training for Action in Public Policies" will be held on May 18, 2023 and June 29, 2023. The Fourth Cohort of the Online Course (2023) will follow up on the content of the previous edition, updating the program in accordance with the Buenos Aires Commitment resulting from the XV Regional Conference on Women in Latin America and the Caribbean. It will be aimed at promoting the exchange of knowledge on integral care systems with special emphasis on local governments in the region.