The Care-GBV Intersection: Addressing Gender-Based Violence Through Economic and Social Policy
Women in Brazil and South Africa perform the majority of unpaid care work, a reality that has significant consequences for gender equality. The Care-GBV intersection—where unpaid care responsibilities, economic insecurity, and gender-based violence (GBV) overlap—creates heightened vulnerabilities, particularly for women of colour and those in precarious employment. Addressing this issue requires bold, intersectional policies that reduce care burdens and strengthen economic security.
The Link Between Care Work and GBV
Economic crises, austerity measures, and unemployment exacerbate both unpaid care burdens and GBV. Women struggling with financial insecurity are more likely to experience intimate partner violence, and their unpaid labour limits access to economic independence. In Brazil, women perform 65% of unpaid care work, accounting for an estimated 13% of GDP if formally recognized. Similarly, in South Africa, women dedicate nearly twice as much time to care work as men, directly affecting labour market participation.
Policy Solutions for a Just and Equitable Future
To break the cycle at the Care-GBV intersection, this policy brief proposes:
- Employment-focused public works programs for unemployed women, providing stable income and economic empowerment.
- Universal Basic Income (UBI) for low-income, unemployed women, ensuring financial independence and reducing GBV risks.
- Investment in intersectional data collection, ensuring policy decisions reflect the realities of marginalized women.
- Gender-responsive budgeting frameworks, embedding gender equity into national financial planning.
Shifting Policy for Systemic Change
Both Brazil and South Africa must prioritize care work within economic planning. While Brazil’s National Secretariat for Care represents progress, further investment is needed. South Africa’s existing social grants system, though extensive, fails to fully support caregivers. Strengthening care infrastructure, investing in GBV prevention, and ensuring economic policies prioritize gender equity will lead to sustainable, inclusive solutions.
By addressing the Care-GBV intersection, policymakers can create safer, more equitable societies where women are economically empowered and free from violence.