Causas que dificultan el acceso de las amas de casa a la seguridad social

Abstract

Nowadays, several factors hinder access to social security for housewives who perform unpaid household work. Housewives constitute the solid core of family and society as a whole. This study aimed to analyze housewives’ right to social security through a legal and regulatory study in the context of the principles of equity and solidarity to understand its real and effective implementation. Qualitative research was conducted, with documentary analysis and bibliographic review. The study has identified three causes that hinder housewives from affiliating with social security: the lack of health benefit coverage, the loss of financial assistance to cover their proportional contribution, and gender-based division of labor. Consequently, it is concluded that despite housewives having the right to affiliation with the Social Security Institution (IESS, by its Spanish acronym), in compliance with Ecuadorian regulations and the principles of equity and solidarity, they face challenges that impede real access to social security.