The Parliament of the Canary Islands hosted this Thursday the conference "Those who care, those who attend, those who clean. Women in the service sector in the Canary Islands", a meeting aimed at making visible the essential role that women play in the main economic engine of the islands and at opening a space for reflection and dialogue about the labor challenges they face.
During the inauguration, the president of the Parliament of the Canary Islands, Astrid Pérez, highlighted the work of thousands of women who sustain daily life and a good part of the economy of the archipelago. "Without you there would be no made beds nor open dining rooms, nor accompanied people nor functioning homes," she affirmed, underlining that the social and professional recognition of these jobs remains a pending challenge.
The day was held in the Europe Room of the autonomous Chamber on the occasion of International Women's Day.
In her speech, Pérez highlighted that the services sector represents more than 81% of the Gross Domestic Product of the Canary Islands and that in areas such as hospitality, care, or cleaning, women occupy up to 93% of employment. “When we think about the engine of the Canary Islands we must think about the face of all of you, in your hands and in your stories,” she pointed out.
The president also recalled that many of these professions have historically remained invisible, having been considered an extension of the tasks traditionally assigned to women. “To make visible is the first step to raise awareness. If we don't see, we don't understand; and if we don't listen, we cannot legislate,” she stated.
The day's program combined presentations, testimonies, and participation spaces. Among the interventions, the presentation “The invisible one who sustains tourism: woman, care and cleaning in the Canary Islands”, by Marcia Díaz, representative of the collective of chambermaids, stands out; “The evolution of the art of caring”, by Sanae El Hadi, a professional in the field of nursing; and “The invisible pillar: woman and care”, given by Ana Brito, director of the Canarian Institute of Equality.
Furthermore, the meeting included a discussion panel focused on the labor challenges of the sector —such as work-life balance and stability in care— with the participation of caregivers, family members and professionals linked to the care of dependent people.
The day concluded with an open debate in which the attendees could share experiences, proposals, and reflections, with the aim of contributing to promoting the social and professional recognition of the women who sustain a large part of the economic and social activity of the Canary Islands.