Bogotá Care Blocks: How a City is Reorganizing Itself for Women and Achieving the SDGs in Bogotá, Colombia
摘要
Women bear the majority of the unpaid care burden, resulting in various negative consequences such as limited financial independence, higher rates of dropping out of school, persistent mental and physical health challenges, and heightened susceptibility to gender-based violence. Bogotá has taken the lead in Latin America by establishing the first city-level Care System to tackle these obstacles. This innovative system, centered around Care Blocks, works to acknowledge, diminish, and redistribute care responsibilities. Care Blocks employ a unique “ease-of-access” approach that has not been tested on this scale before, offering educational opportunities, leisure activities, and income-generating options for caregivers. Additionally, they provide professional care for dependents, including children, individuals with disabilities, and the elderly. The initiative also includes a cultural shift strategy, seen in the creation of a “Care School for Men” aimed at educating men about recognizing and equitably sharing care responsibilities within households. As a form of social innovation, Care Blocks are intended to combat economic and time-related poverty, champion gender equality, and promote environmental sustainability. This model has already proven its effectiveness and is easily reproducible, making it a promising framework for other cities addressing similar issues. The initiative is related to SDGs 3, 5, 11, 16, and 17.