Statement at the panel on the rights to work and to social security in the informal economy

This oral statement, supported by the GCSPF, was delivered by Make Mothers Matter (MMM) at the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council during a panel discussion on the realization of the rights to work and to social security in the informal economy​ held on March 7, 2025.

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This Statement is endorsed by the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors (GCSPF).

MMM welcomes today’s critical discussion, which is especially important for women with caregiving responsibilities, particularly mothers.

This issue matters for two key reasons:

1. Women are often forced to limit or even abandon formal work due to caregiving responsibilities.
2. The caregiving work they provide is vital yet largely unpaid and unrecognized.

As a result, far too many mothers are left without social protection. Globally, only 35% of new mothers have access to full maternity protection, leading to direct consequences not only for their own health and well-being but also for the health and future of their children. This lack of support also jeopardizes their financial security and long-term autonomy.

Investing in mothers is not merely a human rights issue; it’s a high-return investment. Mothers are the backbone of society—frontline health workers, primary nurturers, and the first educators of their children. Their unpaid care work, particularly in the early years, is indispensable but demands time, recognition, and dedicated support.

We urge governments to prioritize investments in universal social protection, based on social protection floors. Caregivers must be recognized, granted proper status, and specifically targeted within these policies.

Supporting mothers is the smartest investment in our collective future.