Opening remarks by Elena Kountouri Tapiero, Acting Regional Representative

30 October, 14:00 - 16:15 CET, Online event

Good day to all.

Let me warmly welcome everyone joining us online.

I would like to thank my colleagues at UN Women and ILO for the cooperation in organizing this event to mark the anniversary of the International Day of Care and Support.

Many thanks also to the Government of Germany for co-convening and the Global Alliance of Care for supporting this event.

The International Day of Care and Support celebrates the rights of everyone involved in the sustainability of life. In particular, those providing and requiring care and support, and in promoting self-care for people and the sustainability of our planet.

We honour the work of millions of care and support workers, unpaid care and support givers and human rights defenders around the world.

Too long we have relied on the free labour of women to sustain families, communities and societies. Too long persons with disabilities and older persons have been denied their agency and control over the support they receive and the management of self-care. They have been portrayed as ‘dependents’, a ‘burden’, or passive objects of care.