International Women’s Day 2026: Shannon Pfohman Addresses the EESC on Women and Care
On 5th March, Shannon Pfohman, Executive Director of Eurocarers, spoke at a panel hosted by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) on the vital yet often undervalued work carried out largely by women across Europe.
The discussion, “Invisible work, visible impact,” explored how unseen labour supports families, communities and entire economies, while too often remaining unrecognised, unprotected and uncompensated.
Shannon highlighted the long-term care sector, noting that both unpaid carers and migrant care workers sustain care systems across Europe yet frequently remain invisible. Her intervention built on Eurocarers’ recent position paper on integrating migrant care work into European and national long-term care strategies
The discussion highlighted the European Economic and Social Committee’s continued commitment to recognising and valuing care work across Europe. Marking International Women’s Day, the EESC reaffirmed the importance of bringing greater visibility to the essential contributions of carers, including migrant and informal care workers.
Through its opinions, platform and engagement with civil society, the Committee committed to support efforts to improve the recognition of care work, promote fair working conditions, and strengthen pathways to inclusion for those who sustain care systems across Europe.
More information on the event here
