Answer

Introduction

In India, the domestic sphere is largely viewed as women’s domain, where their unpaid work is undervalued, perpetuating gender inequality. Women shoulder the majority of caregiving and household tasks, yet their contributions remain invisible in both economic and social frameworks, limiting their opportunities for advancement.

Body

How the neglect of the ‘domestic sphere’ and undervaluation of women’s unpaid work perpetuates gender inequality

• Invisibility in National Accounting and Policy Design: Women’s unpaid domestic and caregiving work is excluded from GDP and labour statistics, leading to neglect in economic policy.
  Eg: The SBI 2023 study estimated that monetising unpaid work would add ₹22.5 lakh crore (7% of GDP), yet it remains unaccounted.
• Low Social and Economic Recognition of Women’s Roles: Domestic work is viewed as a natural obligation, not an economic contribution, reinforcing patriarchal hierarchies.
  Eg: ASHA and Anganwadi workers are paid honorariums, not minimum wages, despite performing essential care duties.
• Overburden and Time Poverty among Women: Women perform more total (paid + unpaid) work, leaving little time for rest, education, or self-care.
  Eg: The 2024 Time Use Survey found women spent 140 minutes daily on caregiving, nearly double the 74 minutes spent by men aged 15–59.
• Normalization of Gendered Violence in the Domestic Sphere: Silence around domestic abuse undermines women’s dignity and equality within the home.
  Eg: NFHS-5 reports 30% of women face intimate partner violence; only 14% file complaints.
• Devaluation Leads to Informalisation in Public Care Work: The undervaluation of caregiving at home mirrors in low-paid, informal care sector jobs for women.
  Eg: ASHA workers were not formally recognised during COVID-19, despite being frontline health providers.
  

Measures Necessary to

Ensure Gender Justice in the Economy

• Recognition and Valuation of Unpaid Work in Economic Policy: Integrate unpaid work into national accounts and planning via satellite accounts and regular Time Use Surveys.
  Eg: In Mexico, the Household Satellite Account estimates women’s unpaid household work to assess their contribution to GDP.
• Ensure Legal and Economic Rights for Care Workers: Provide minimum wages, social security, and formal employment status to public care workers.
  Eg: Kerala has initiated regularisation of Anganwadi workers with improved benefits.
• Institutional Action Against Domestic Violence: Strengthen access to shelters, legal aid, and protection mechanisms to reduce household-level violence.
  Eg: One-Stop Centres under the Ministry of Women & Child Development aim to offer integrated support, but need nationwide scaling.
  

Ensure Equitable Participation of Women in the Economy

• Redistribution of Care Work through Public Infrastructure: Provide universal childcare, elderly care, and related services to ease women’s unpaid work burden.
  Eg: Tamil Nadu’s state-run creche centres help working women balance care and employment.
• Equal Pay and Gender-Neutral Job Creation: Enforce wage parity and expand women’s participation in non-traditional and high-growth sectors.
  Eg: Code on Wages, 2019 mandates equal pay, though implementation is still weak.
• Promotion of Shared Domestic Responsibility: Launch awareness campaigns and policy tools encouraging men’s role in household work.
  Eg: Sweden’s paternity leave model incentivizes shared care work; India could pilot similar schemes.

Conclusion

To ensure gender justice, India must recognize women’s unpaid work, promote shared domestic responsibilities, and provide equal economic opportunities. Effective policies should ensure women’s participation in the economy is equally valued and supported, fostering an inclusive and equitable society.

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