Mr. Speaker, on April 7, as they have every year since 2001, the AFEAS and its members will take the opportunity to make government authorities and the public aware of the problem of unpaid, “invisible” work.
According to the AFEAS, lack of recognition for invisible work is one of the factors in the persistent inequalities between women and men. It is also a factor in the poverty of women who choose to take care of their children or their incapacitated, ill or disabled relatives. These mothers and caregivers continue to live in poverty when they retire.
During a recession, invisible work by families and especially women will increase. That is why, this year, the AFEAS and other women's groups in Quebec and Canada are reiterating that it is important that Canada measure and take into account the unpaid work in every family, as it promised to do at the World Conference on Women, held in Beijing.