Contribution of Unpaid Work by Women

Syllabus: GS3/Economy

Context

The invisibility of women’s contributions to the economy through unpaid care work, parenting, and domestic responsibilities has been a growing topic of research and discussion.

This dialogue emphasises the need to recognise and value these contributions in national accounts, highlighting their monetary worth.
While the System of National Accounts has included household production in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) calculations since 1993, it has notably excluded unpaid care work.

Women not in the labour force spend over seven hours daily on unpaid domestic and care work.
- Employed women dedicate 5.8 hours to similar tasks.
In contrast, unemployed men spend less than four hours, while employed men contribute only 2.7 hours daily.
This stark contrast underscores the significant burden of unpaid labour borne by women.

Sustainable Households: Unpaid labor, including childcare, elder care, and household chores, is essential for the daily functioning of families.
Economic Contribution: It supports the workforce by allowing others to participate in paid employment, thus enabling economic activity and stability.
Resource Management: Women often manage household resources, from budgeting to food preparation.
Personal Fulfilment: Many women derive personal satisfaction and fulfillment from caregiving and household management, viewing it as a meaningful contribution to their families and communities.
Foundation for Future Generations: Unpaid labor plays a vital role in the upbringing and education of children, shaping future generations and contributing to their development and well-being.

In 2016, the United Nations integrated this focus into its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in SDG 5, which emphasises achieving gender equality and empowering women.
- Target 5.4 seeks to recognise and value unpaid care and domestic work through supportive policies and shared household responsibilities, particularly in low and middle-income countries by 2030.
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC 2022) revealed that unpaid work contributes an estimated 9% to the GDP of APEC member economies, equivalent to $11 trillion.

Unpaid work in India contributes approximately ₹22.7 lakh crore or about 7.5% of the country’s GDP, according to a 2023 State Bank of India report.
Women spend about 36 hours per week on such tasks compared to just 16 hours for men.
- This disparity highlights the gendered nature of household responsibilities and reflects broader societal norms regarding domestic labour.
Research indicates that enhancing women’s participation in the labour force could boost India’s GDP by as much as 27%.

To harness this potential for economic growth, it is vital to create policies that recognise and value unpaid work, encouraging gender equity in the workforce and boosting India’s overall productivity.

Source: TH

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