What Did I Learn on My Second Day in Brussels? “Unpaid Care”
“Unpaid Care”! This is what I discovered on my second day in Brussels. I was invited by the NGO Make Mothers Matter (MMM) to attend a book event with author Emma Holten entitled: “The invisible work our economies don’t care to see.”
The Hidden Cost of Care
The discussion between Emma Holten and Ariane de Liedekerke (MMM) focused on the reality that many physically and emotionally demanding tasks are not considered “work.” As a result, they are neither paid for now nor reflected in future pensions. To give you a tangible example: a mother who chooses a part-time job to care for her children gets paid less today and will receive a lower pension later. Ariane highlighted that this is backed by numerous European studies. Yet, the care this mother provides has a massive, positive impact on society and the economy in the long run.
Redefining a "Healthier" Economy
During the panel, Emma highlighted that the solution cannot simply be making women work as much as men, or importing cheap labor to do care jobs for less. Building a healthier society means that both mothers and fathers can work while still having time for themselves and their children. It means refusing to use the poverty of others or the low standards of immigrants to maintain economic growth.
One point Emma mentioned that truly struck me is how the economy values jobs based purely on profit. For instance, a bank manager is paid much more than a nurse, a teacher, or a doctor. Yet, we must ask: “Whose work has a lifelong impact on the wellbeing of society? Whose work is more valuable at the ‘care’ level and the ‘human’ level?”
Join the Conversation
Ultimately, these concepts challenge us to rethink how we perceive women’s career choices. It is a call to shift our perspective, and stop measuring value only through financial profit while recognizing that “care” is the actual foundation of a thriving society. To dive deeper into these concepts and join the conversation, you can grab your copy of “Deficit” on the LiLi Community platform.
About the Speakers:
Emma Holten is the author of Deficit (2024), which has sold over 50,000 copies in Denmark and has been published in 10 countries.
Ariane de Liedekerke is part of Make Mothers Matter’s advocacy team, working closely with the organization’s global grassroots members to advance the recognition of care work and social justice for mothers.
