“Focusing on the Cost of Care Work by Women” will be the theme of the panel discussion to mark International Women’s Day in Barbados (Stock Photo)
International Women’s Day activities in Barbados on Friday March 8 will focus on care work done by women in the area of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
On that date, the Bureau of Gender Affairs will host a panel discussion at the Queen’s Park Steel Shed highlighting the economic and social costs associated with the care of these illnesses.
Panellists at the event, which will run from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., will include gerontologist, Dr. Ambrose Ramsay; president of the Alzheimer’s Association, Pamelia Brereton; lecturer in Economics at The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Dr. Mahalia Jackman and a caregiver.
Focus on the cost of care work by women will be explored over a three-year period. Next year, the spotlight will be on women who gave up their jobs, or do not seek work because of the costs, or unavailability of child care.
In the final year, the Bureau will bring together social development economists to analyze if, and how the cost of care work could be included in the measure of the Gross Domestic Product.