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. 

About

• 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. 

Unpaid Labour by Women

• 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. 

Need for Recognising Unpaid Work 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.

Effort to recognise Unpaid work

• 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. 

Economic Value of Unpaid Work in India

• 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%. 

Conclusion

• 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