Care Work: Conceptual Foundations from Feminist PerspectivesCare at the Intersection of Time, Space, and the Conditions of the Territories Where Women Live
The article analyzes caregiving as a fundamental social practice that is deeply influenced by time, space, and the conditions of the communities where women live. It points out that, due to the gendered division of labor, it is primarily women who shoulder the bulk of caregiving responsibilities, which limits their availability, economic autonomy, and opportunities for social participation.
It also highlights that these experiences are not uniform: inequalities are exacerbated by factors such as social class, geographic location, access to basic services, and available infrastructure. The territory—the home, the neighborhood, and the city—shapes how care is organized, daily commutes, and exposure to situations of insecurity or violence.
The text also emphasizes that care should not be understood as an individual or private responsibility, but rather as a collective and political issue. In this regard, it proposes the need for gender-sensitive public policies that recognize, redistribute, and value care work, as well as more equitable urban planning that facilitates access to services, reduces time burdens, and improves women’s living conditions.
