EQUAL-CARE Hosts Workshop on Gender Equality and Care in Porto

The EU-funded EQUAL-CARE project was featured during a dedicated workshop at EASPD’s Annual Conference, “Leading Change in Disability Services”, held in Porto on 14–15 May.

Bringing together 300 participants, the annual conference explored how disability service leaders and professionals can drive organisational change and address workforce-related challenges. During a panel discussion, the Social Employers highlighted the EQUAL-CARE project while stressing the importance of promoting gender equality and creating inclusive workplaces within the care sector.

As part of the conference programme, the EQUAL-CARE workshop, co-organised by EASPD and Greek project partner MARGARITA, introduced participants to the project’s objectives and activities. The session focused on how gender inequalities can manifest within care organisations and practical actions that employers, HR professionals and managers can take to create equal opportunities. Discussions focused on both organisational culture and day-to-day practices.

Practical measures discussed included developing gender equality action plans, introducing tracking and monitoring tools, actively creating safer and more inclusive workspaces and promoting policies that support work-life balance and equal career opportunities.

The conference was also an opportunity to share the EQUAL-CARE Insight Report on Gender Stereotypes in Care with interested participants, further raising awareness about the importance of equality in care services.

EQUAL-CARE addresses the gender gap in the disability care and support sector by promoting equal opportunities, fair working conditions and better work-life balance for both formal and informal carers. Through training and awareness-raising initiatives, the project empowers workers, employers, managers, HR professionals and informal carers to tackle the root causes of inequality.

More information about the EQUAL-CARE project here.