From labor rights to the right to care: Contributions from the vital turn in Latin America

Care, a central concern of feminist thought and activism, has increasingly gained traction in national political agendas across Latin America. This article brings into dialogue diverse theoretical approaches to social reproduction and care, developed across distinct historical and geopolitical contexts, with a particular focus on Latin American contributions. Framing the discussion through the lens of rights, it examines how different conceptualizations of historically feminized activities – often grouped under terms such as domestic work, reproductive labor, or care – highlight different dimensions of these practices, giving rise to varied political demands and mobilizations. A key shift is explored: the move from advocating primarily for labor rights toward recognizing care as a right in itself. This shift, referred to here as the vital turn, foregrounds the relational nature of care and expands the range of its beneficiaries. Drawing on current debates surrounding care policy in Latin America, I argue that the region's approach – which centers life and emphasizes structural inequalities – offers a compelling synthesis of the materialist lens of social reproduction and the relational ethics and politics of care. This integrative perspective, while not without tensions, emerges as a productive and innovative framework for understanding and addressing care. • Political meanings of care vary across contexts. • Latin American discussions frame care as a fundamental human right. • Politicizing care can go beyond state-centered approaches. • Other epistemologies enrich the care debate.