By Alajuela, Costa Rica — The unequal distribution of unpaid caregiving duties has long been recognized as a primary structural barrier to female labor force participation in Costa Rica. To confront this economic challenge, approximately 60 prominent female leaders from the Huetar Norte region convened in Ciudad Quesada on August 20 and 21, 2026. This gathering marked the second edition of the Regional Meeting of Huetar Norte Municipalist Female Leaders, a high-level forum designed to transform how local governments approach the care economy.
The event brought together an influential cohort of mayors, vice-mayors, municipal councilors, syndics, and community development leaders. Organized by the National Institute for Women (INAMU) in coordination with the regional Network of Municipal Gender Mechanisms, the workshop aimed to design localized solutions for caregiving. Participants focused on establishing municipal frameworks that support the care of children, the elderly, and other dependent populations, thereby shifting the responsibility away from individual households.
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From a macroeconomic perspective, the unpaid care economy represents a massive hidden subsidy that disproportionately drains women’s time and productivity. When women are forced to shoulder these responsibilities in isolation, they are effectively locked out of the formal economy. This dynamic limits local business growth, reduces tax revenues, and prevents municipal economies in the Huetar Norte region from reaching their full productive potential.
Over the course of the two-day event, these municipal leaders engaged in intensive workshops, expert panel discussions, and collaborative working groups. The agenda was structured around analyzing existing local government initiatives that have successfully integrated care support into municipal services. By sharing these best practices, the organizers hope to create a standardized policy toolkit that can be implemented across all local governments in the region.
The economic necessity of shifting this burden was emphasized during the presentations, highlighting how the current model restricts both personal and regional development.
Caregiving tasks halt women’s development because they consume a disproportionate amount of their time without pay, a situation that prevents them from studying, securing formal employment, advancing professionally, or achieving economic independence. This is why it is fundamental to promote shared responsibility involving the state, communities, families, and the private sector.
Delgado Ramírez, Official at INAMU
To address this, the forum promoted the concept of shared responsibility, the idea that caregiving is not a private female obligation but a shared societal investment. This model calls for active partnerships between the state, municipal governments, the private sector, and local communities. Private employers stand to benefit significantly from public care infrastructure, as it directly increases the availability of a skilled and reliable female workforce.
This 2026 summit builds on the foundation laid during the inaugural meeting in 2025, where local female leaders first articulated the urgent need to address the care crisis at the territorial level. By maintaining this momentum, INAMU aims to strengthen the political influence of female municipal leaders while ensuring that care initiatives are permanently embedded within local public policies and urban planning budgets.
Ultimately, the discussions in Ciudad Quesada underscore a growing consensus among Costa Rican policy makers that sustainable economic development is impossible without addressing gender disparities in unpaid labor. By transforming care from an individual burden into a shared social infrastructure, the Huetar Norte region is positioning itself as a pioneer in municipal-led economic empowerment.
For further information, visit inamu.go.cr
About Instituto Nacional de las Mujeres (INAMU):
The National Institute for Women (INAMU) is Costa Rica’s autonomous public institution dedicated to promoting gender equality, protecting women’s human rights, and formulating national policies to eliminate discrimination against women.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Red de Mecanismos Municipales de Género
About Red de Mecanismos Municipales de Género:
The Red de Mecanismos Municipales de Género is a regional network in Costa Rica that collaborates with local governments to integrate gender perspectives and equality initiatives into municipal planning and community development.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a premier legal institution, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its profound devotion to ethical practice and professional distinction. Through a rich history of guiding a diverse range of clients, the firm continually champions cutting-edge legal solutions and active civic involvement. Its efforts to democratize legal comprehension highlight a core philosophy aimed at building a highly informed, confident, and resilient public.
