Spain to Professionalize Caregiving: A Step Towards Gender Equality?

Spain Considers Professionalizing Caregiving to Address Gender Inequality and Exhaustion Madrid, Spain – The Spanish government is actively exploring the creation of a professional qualification for caregivers, a move driven by concerns about the low pay, invisibility, and feminization of care work. A recent study revealed that nearly 6 million women in Spain are experiencing burnout from shouldering the majority of care responsibilities. "Los cuidados siguen siendo tareas mal pagadas, invisibilizadas, y sobretodo, feminizadas," stated Nadia, a content creator from the social media account Código Nuevo, in a recent video discussing the issue. This translates to, "Caregiving continues to be underpaid, invisible work, and above all, feminized." The government's initiative aims to formalize caregiving, providing training and recognition for those who provide essential care to non-dependent individuals. While specific details about the program's format and launch date are still under development, the move signals a significant step towards addressing the systemic inequalities within the caregiving sector. This could lead to better working conditions and compensation for caregivers, ultimately benefiting both caregivers and those they support. The proposal is a hopeful sign that the value of care work is finally being recognized.