Story: Gender inequalities

Research published in 2008 found that almost twice as many women as men provided care for sick, disabled or elderly relatives or friends. Women carers were more likely to be the main person providing help, and did longer hours of care. Māori and Pasifika women were particularly likely to find themselves providing care for family members. In 2009 Jean Burnett and her son Stuart (shown here), along with several other families, took the Ministry of Health to the Human Rights Commission. They argued that family members providing care for disabled, dependent adult children need financial support. Although the commission agreed with them, the government appealed against the ruling.