Unpaid Work in Uruguay: Between the Commitment of a Care System and the Setbacks of the Pandemic

Policies that aim to redistribute care are one of the most important measures to reverse gender inequality. In 2016, Uruguay created the National Integrated Care System, but that policy encountered a setback in 2020 when the pandemic hit. This article compares changes between 2013 and 2022 using time use surveys and the National Household Survey. The main results show an increase in unpaid work for men and an increase in paid work for women. Increased labor force participation among women of reproductive age and men’s increased caregiving are consistent with the expansion of public childcare coverage. The transfer of care from families to the state had a positive impact on female labor participation, but it has not impacted significantly the long-standing sexual division of labor. These findings contribute to our understanding of the potential of state-led care interventions in promoting gender equality, and their sustainability.