Care in rural contexts in Latin America and the Caribbean
Authors:
Cecilia Zenteno Lawrence. Flávia Charão-Marques. Otto Colpari Cruz. Nanette Paz Liberona Concha. Alfonso Hinojosa Gordonava. Pía Karina Pérez Sandoval. Estefanía Aristizábal Ramírez. Lina Marcela Cardona Salazar. Diana Vela Almeida. Katy Machoa. Gabriela Gallardo Lastra[Chapter Authors]
Pablo Vommaro. Cecilia Alemany. [Presentation]
In 2023, the Latin American Council of Social Sciences (CLACSO) and UN Women launched the research project "State of the Art on Care in Rural Contexts in Latin America and the Caribbean." Based on the findings of this study, both institutions decided to join forces and launch the call for proposals "Care in Rural Contexts in Latin America and the Caribbean." This initiative was carried out within the framework of the Platform for Social Dialogue on Care, jointly promoted by both institutions, and the Platform for Social Dialogue on Rights, Violence, and Gender Equality, promoted by CLACSO. In Latin America and the Caribbean, care is a fertile field of study that has generated numerous research projects, fostering unique and situated approaches and conceptualizations. These studies clearly demonstrate that care takes on forms, content, and meanings that vary according to different socio-historical contexts, making it crucial to reflect on care in a situated and decolonial way. The Call for Proposals sought to broaden analytical frameworks and enrich public policies by recognizing the profoundly heterogeneous rural realities in the region, with their own tensions, challenges, and knowledge. Rural areas present a set of unique characteristics that transcend the specific contexts of each territory and frame the scenario in which practices and meanings surrounding care are (re)constructed. It is also important to bear in mind that rural areas in Latin America and the Caribbean are characterized by the diversity of social groups, economic activities, cultures, environmental contexts, geographic spaces, configurations of the public and community spheres, among other dimensions. The topics developed conceive of ruralities in the plural, from the multiple realities that shape different contexts for care in the region. From this perspective, the multiple dimensions of care are explored, its implications for the well-being of rural populations are examined, and a gender perspective is incorporated to make inequalities and resistance visible. At the same time, the necessary social dialogues are promoted to achieve a greater impact of the proposals in the design of public policies that are sensitive to the territory.
Research Calls Collection.
ISBN 978-631-308-057-1
CLACSO. UN Women.
Buenos Aires.
July 2025
