Care economy applied in the case: female janitors of the municipality of Pasto

Abstract

The life story of Sandra Azucena Suárez Erazo, a janitorial worker in Pasto, highlights the struggles many women face in balancing paid employment with caregiving. Since starting her job in 2011, Sandra has endured long hours and low wages while supporting her family. Her experience underscores the deep structural inequalities impacting women in vulnerable sectors, particularly the unequal distribution of care work and the lack of social and economic support, with physical and emotional tolls. The story calls for public policies that recognize and value care work to promote greater fairness and equity for workers like Sandra. The article analyzes how care economies influence and shape the lives of women in similar situations.