04/25/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/25/2024 13:13
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Shelby Bolen
[email protected]
949-677-3807
Jennifer Baskerville
[email protected]
703-967-2590
WASHINGTON - (April 25, 2024) - Women of color are disproportionately affected by the dual impact of paid work and unpaid care labor, according to a new report released today by Oxfam and Prosperity Now. The report, "Unseen Work, Unmet Needs," examines the significant challenges posed by the intersection of women's paid and unpaid labor in the United States. Many of these same individuals face systemic barriers in accessing essential support, such as workplace flexibility, equitable pay, and affordable care services, further compounding the economic impacts of unpaid care responsibilities.
Well over one in four U.S. caregivers are sandwich caregivers-individuals who provide care to an adult while also caring for children living in their home. They spend an average of 22 hours weekly providing unpaid care.
Other key findings include:
The report also includes several policy recommendations to address the inequities in our economic system, including:
"This country desperately needs to build a viable care economy and start cutting women a break," said Paige Castellanos, Senior Manager of the Gender Justice Inclusion Hub at Oxfam America. "Women of color disproportionately bear the financial burden of unpaid care responsibilities, often finding themselves forced to leave the workforce altogether due to the strains of appallingly low wages and unaffordable care services. It's time for policymakers to recognize the time, energy, and mental demands of care work-paid or unpaid-and invest in safe, accessible, and affordable child care systems for everyone."
"Despite its crucial societal role, unpaid labor, such as caregiving for children and adults, is unnoticed and undervalued," said Marisa Calderon, President & CEO, Prosperity Now. "This original research report shines a light on the gender and racial disparities in unpaid care and the devastating inequities in the paid labor force. To build an economy that works for everyone, we must enact policies that address the inequities faced by women, especially women of color, and supports all caregivers."###
About Oxfam America
Oxfam is a global organization that fights inequality to end poverty and injustice. We offer lifesaving support in times of crisis and advocate for economic justice, gender equality, and climate action. We demand equal rights and equal treatment so that everyone can thrive, not just survive. The future is equal. Learn more at www.oxfamamerica.org.
About Prosperity Now
Since 1979, Prosperity Now (formerly CFED) has been a persistent voice championing economic opportunity, innovating outside of and beyond existing systems to build power for all communities. We advance racial and ethnic economic justice by investing in bold new ideas, and we work deeply at both the grassroots and national level to impact the entire ecosystem. By setting goals for our economy and following through with targeted approaches based on need, we are equipped to drive forward and cement big structural solutions. Learn more at www.prosperitynow.org.