Valuing Care: Policies and Practices to Advance an Equitable and High-Quality Care Economy

In Valuing Care: Policies & Practices to Advance an Equitable & High-Quality Care Economy, Moyosore Sogaolu and Carmina Ravanera synthesize the research and themes presented at the University of Toronto Institute for Gender and the Economy’s research roundtable on April 29, 2025: “Advancing the Care Economy: Policies and Practices for Equitable and High-Quality Care”.

Speakers included Maria Floro and Izumi Niki, who are both members of the Care Economies in Context North America team.

Citation

Sogaolu, M., & Ravanera, C. (2025). Valuing Care: Policies and Practices to Advance an Equitable and High-Quality Care Economy. In Gender and the Economy. Institute for Gender and the Economy. https://www.gendereconomy.org/valuing-care/

Abstract

Care is the invisible infrastructure that sustains our societies and economies. Every one of us has needed care in the past, and all of us will rely on it again as we age. Many also provide care, whether for children, elders, or others in need, often at great personal and economic cost. Yet, care remains undervalued, underfunded, and overlooked in public policy, even though it underpins our communities and drives economic productivity. At a moment of demographic change, global inequality, and rising demand, investing in care is not only a moral imperative but also an economic necessity.

The research covered in this report suggests several policy implications for governments and employers in creating more equitable, high-quality, and resilient care systems. A focus on improving care systems will improve outcomes for care recipients as well as the caregivers who support them. Policy can aim to ensure that everyone has access to high-quality care, especially those belonging to marginalized communities, that carers are working in fair conditions with sustainable wages, and that future trends relating to migration, aging populations, technology, and climate change are key considerations.