Mexico City Congress Advances Creation of Care System Law

The Mexico City Congress has taken a significant step towards recognizing and formalizing the crucial role of care in society by approving a draft law for the Care System. This legislation, a culmination of efforts by the commissions on Inclusion and Social Welfare, and Gender Equality, seeks to establish a comprehensive framework that addresses the needs of both care recipients and caregivers.

The proposed law emphasizes the progressive and universal nature of the right to care, acknowledging its fundamental importance for daily life and the exercise of other human rights. By creating dedicated care centers for various vulnerable populations—including children, individuals with disabilities, the elderly, and those experiencing homelessness—the initiative aims to provide structured support and improve quality of life.

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This dictamen recognizes that care is indispensable for sustaining daily life, and for guaranteeing the exercise of fundamental rights.

A key aspect of this law is its focus on recognizing, redistributing, and reducing the burden of care work, which disproportionately falls on women. The establishment of a Care System Board and an Executive Secretariat signifies a commitment to institutionalizing care services and ensuring their effective implementation across the city.

This legislative advancement reflects a growing understanding in Mexico City of care as a public responsibility, moving beyond a purely private or familial domain. The law's progressive budgeting requirement, ensuring year-on-year increases in funding, signals a long-term commitment to building a robust and sustainable care infrastructure. The anticipated discussion in the plenary session marks the final stage before this potentially transformative law is enacted.

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The law establishes bases for the articulation of actions oriented both to people who require care and to those who provide it.