The Time Use Survey 2024, released by the Ministry
of Statistics and Programme Implementation, reaffirms a harsh reality: Indian
women continue to shoulder an overwhelming burden of unpaid domestic work.
Despite a minuscule decline, the gender gap in household responsibilities
remains stark. Women spend an average of 289 minutes per day on unpaid domestic
services, compared to just 88 minutes for men. In caregiving, too, the
disparity persists, with women dedicating 140 minutes daily, while men
contribute a mere 74 minutes.
This chronic inequity in domestic labour is not
merely a matter of household dynamics; it has profound economic and social
ramifications. Women’s disproportionate engagement in unpaid work restricts
their participation in the formal economy. With limited time for professional
development or skill acquisition, they are often relegated to low-paying,
informal, or part-time employment. This contributes to persistent wage gaps and
lower financial independence, reinforcing the cycle of economic disparity
between men and women.
The International Labour Organization’s 2024 report
on the impact of care responsibilities on women’s labour participation
highlights that 53% of Indian women remain outside the workforce, despite a
gradual increase in labour force participation to 41.7%. In contrast, men’s
participation stands at approximately 78%. The ILO rightly advocates for
greater investment in childcare and eldercare services to reduce the burden on
women, thereby facilitating their economic inclusion.
Beyond economics, the cultural glorification of
men’s minimal household contributions perpetuates patriarchal norms. Men
performing basic domestic tasks are often praised, while women’s relentless
labour is taken for granted. The structural undervaluation of domestic work
reinforces gender hierarchies, further entrenching the notion that men are
‘breadwinners’ while women’s labour remains invisible and uncompensated.
The economic implications of this imbalance are
staggering. A study by Karmannaya Counsel, CII, and Nikore Associates in March
2024 estimates that the value of unpaid work performed by women could account
for 15% to 17% of India’s GDP if monetized. Despite India’s ambitious vision of
‘Viksit Bharat’ and women-led development, this foundational disparity
threatens both economic progress and gender equality.
Addressing this issue requires a paradigm shift in
how household responsibilities are viewed and distributed. Encouraging men to
take on equal domestic duties must move beyond token gestures to systemic
changes in policy, workplace flexibility, and societal attitudes. Paid
paternity leave, subsidized childcare, and domestic work recognition are
essential steps toward bridging this gap.
Ultimately, true inclusivity
will begin with a fundamental re-imagination of household roles. Until then,
women will continue to bear the double burden of unpaid labour and economic
exclusion, a contradiction that India can ill afford on its path to
development.
