Dr Neelam Choudhary
Care is an essential component of well being. Scholars differ in defining and naming the term; some call it ‘unpaid care work’, while others as ‘non-market work’ or ‘work of social reproduction’. While performing their role of care givers in the household settings, women often sacrifice many things; they may have to forego a job opportunity, may be left behind others in promotion or may not get time for promoting their personal well being.
It is often argued that this disempowers women. But at the same time, it is said to bring ‘intrinsic rewards’, as taking care of the elderly, sick or children not only strengthens intra-household bonds but also contributes towards economy by an overall improvement in human capital. So a lot of potential for development lies hidden in ‘care’.
Every woman, whether participating in the labour force or not has a day, howsoever long, yet falling short of the tasks assigned to her. It is more true about a working woman, who has to rush immediately after her in-built alarm wakes her up from an incomplete sleep. A long list of monotonous tasks is waiting for her.
Then Mrs. Superwoman resorts to multitasking: washing clothes, preparing meals, cleaning kitchen floor, getting the children ready for school, holding a cup of tea to become ice cold etc. etc. The endless list actually never ends. But workplace, with responsibilities equally challenging, doesn’t spare her, as she draws salary equivalent to her male colleagues. So she gears herself up for a busy day ahead. Despite wrestling with these problems on daily basis, women have made great strides in almost every field.
Have you ever noticed a woman narrating this story? No, as it is not a one-off issue. But the way in which the care work performed by her remains unnoticed, unrecognised and undistributed till date is a big question mark on the current state of affairs. According to a UN study, “women devote 1 to 3 hours more a day to housework than men; 2 to 10 times the amount of time a day to care (for children, elderly, and the sick), and 1 to 4 hours less a day to market activities . In the European Union for example, 25 per cent of women report care and other family and personal responsibilities as the reason for not being in the labour force, versus only three per cent of men .” The figures may differ across countries and for those participating or not participating in the work force.
In a recent small scale study, women were asked what they wanted in lieu of the care work performed at home, with one of the options that they should be paid for it. Almost all women disagreed with it. But they wanted appreciation and recognition of their work. Moreover, the prevailing patriarchal mindset which dictates that all household tasks are meant for women, irrespective of her being employed or not, too needs revisiting. It may warm the cockles of her heart.
All the households moving towards less unequal distribution of household work, howsoever small the step may be, deserve appreciation. After all, they are reducing the burden of an important pillar of the economy. Her participation in the work force ( having been only partially explored) is now the deciding factor in growth forecasts’ upward revision. That women do matter in the economy has once again been reported, this time by McKinsey Global Institute’s report which finds that participation of women in labour force and women’s equality could add ‘$12 trillion to global GDP by 2025’. Do we want to miss it? If not, let us be party to every decision which reduces a woman’s burden at home, as we don’t always look for a legislative precedent to initiate something.
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