From Principles to Practice DIGITAL

42Lessons learned ▪Engage the community early: Involving caregivers and the broader community from the planning phase ensured that the Care Blocks aligned with the needs and expectations of those who would use them, encouraging trust and support for the programme. ▪Focus on gender-responsive urban planning: Placing Care Blocks within walking distance of caregivers’ homes demonstrated a gen- der-sensitive approach to urban design. This not only addressed the practical needs of caregivers but also alleviated their time pov - erty, a key barrier to women’s economic autonomy in particular. ▪Harness technology for efficiency: Implementing digital solu - tions early on streamlined processes like registration and data collection, which allowed for better resource allocation and improved the user experience for caregivers seeking support. ▪Secure legal and institutional support: Formalizing the care system as a legal entity, backed by the Women’s Advisory Council and local government, was essential for ensuring the programme’s long-term sustainability and integration into broader city policies. Challenges ▪Challenging gender norms: Addressing deeply ingrained societal norms around gender roles required significant cultural transfor - mation efforts. Overcoming resistance and promoting the value of redistributing care responsibilities necessitated continuous community engagement and education. ▪Long-term financial stability: While initially funded by the city and international partners, securing continued investment is essential for sustainability. Diversifying funding sources and integrating care services into long-term urban policy are critical steps. ▪Intersectoral coordination: Coordinating among various public entities and stakeholders to deliver integrated services posed logistical challenges. Establishing clear communication channels and delineating responsibilities were essential to ensure effective collaboration and service delivery. ▪Encouraging participation: Many caregivers were unfamiliar with institutional support systems, requiring proactive engagement to build trust and encourage service use. Demonstrating tangible benefits was key to encouraging long-term involvement. Addressing these challenges has strengthened the initiative’s foun- dation, making it a viable model for cities seeking to invest in social infrastructure and gender equity.Next steps ▪Expansion of Care Blocks: Bogotá plans to increase the number of Care Blocks from the current 23 to 45 by 2035, as outlined in the city’s Urban Master Plan. This expansion aims to enhance accessibility and support for caregivers across the city.48 ▪Implementation of mobile care units: To serve caregivers in rural and hard-to-reach areas, the city has introduced Care Buses – mobile units that provide similar services as the Care Blocks. These buses relocate periodically to maximize reach, ensuring that caregivers in underserved regions receive necessary support.49 ▪Home-based care services: Recognizing that some caregivers are unable to leave their homes due to their responsibilities, Bogotá has developed the Care Home Delivery programme. This initiative delivers services directly to caregivers and their dependents within their residences, addressing the needs of those who cannot access Care Blocks or Care Buses.5043 Aerial view of the SuperCADE Care Block in Ciudad Bolívar, Bogotá. Alejandro Arango