This document, prepared by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and UN Women, has been conceived to serve as a guiding framework for those involved in the development of comprehensive national Care Systems as a pillar of social protection in the countries of the region. We believe that these systems should be designed from a human rights perspective, with particular emphasis on mainstreaming the gender perspective to achieve care models co-responsible between the State, the market, the community, and families, and between men and women.