Why Are Women Worldwide Still Unable To ‘Share The Load’?

Although our world is defined by innovation and growth, an unresolved imbalance continues to cast a shadow on the foundations of our socioeconomic system. The stark reality revealed by recent studies highlights a critical issue: globally, women spend 2.8 more hours than men on unpaid care and domestic work. As we delve into the heart of this disparity, the trajectory ahead foretells a future where, despite slight narrowing, the gap will endure. By 2050, women worldwide are projected to invest 9.5% more time, equivalent to 2.3 additional hours daily, in unpaid care work compared to men.

Beyond the mere numbers, it is an indictment of a system that demands introspection and recalibration. SheThePeople exclusively had a conversation with five women who shed light on their personal stories, revealing the unseen struggles and aspirations of those shouldering this significant yet undervalued burden.

Understanding The Current Landscape

The statistics highlight an urgent need for collective action on the necessity of substantial investments in care policies, services, jobs, and infrastructure. Recognizing, reducing, and redistributing the burden of unpaid care and domestic work is not just a moral imperative; it is a prerequisite for achieving true gender equality.

Unpaid care and domestic work, often relegated to the shadows, constitute the backbone of our societies. It involves the unheralded tasks—nurturing children, caring for the elderly, maintaining households—that form the bedrock of our communities. The disproportionate burden borne by women in these endeavours is an example of the deeply entrenched gender norms that persist despite strides towards equality.

Projections And Urgency

By 2050, without substantial interventions, the burden on women will remain unabated. The need to invest substantially in care policies, services, jobs, and infrastructure is not merely a moral imperative; it is a strategic move towards dismantling entrenched gender norms. Failure to act now imperils progress towards a fairer balance, casting a shadow over the aspirations set for 2030.

Unequal Load Of Care On Women In Indian Homes: Exclusive Discussions

While revealing the intricacies of this issue, SheThePeople exclusively had a conversation with five women. They shared their personal narratives, shedding light on the unseen struggles and aspirations of those carrying this significant yet undervalued load.

Ifra shares a personal account of her family's journey through caregiving roles. From gender-assigned roles to a paradigm shift influenced by personal tragedies, her story reveals the evolving dynamics within her household.

The caregiver role was only assigned to women of the house, and men took ownership of only money matters. I think different times during COVID brought us family together, and we saw those assigned roles blurring with time.

Ragini sheds light on the dichotomy in her roles within the family. While she and her husband maintain balance when alone, family gatherings present a different narrative. "It generally falls upon me most of the time when we are with the extended family. It's not very equitable, not very fair," laments Ragini.

She vividly describes a challenging Diwali celebration, where the burden of responsibilities fell primarily on her and her sister-in-law. "At a point, I broke down, but it's more of a social conditioning where we are also like, let it be, we have to do it," shares Ragini, reflecting on the deeply ingrained societal expectations.

Sreelekha, part of a nuclear family, emphasizes the need for a 50-50 distribution of responsibilities. "Everywhere in the world, women are the default homemakers and caregivers. Even if women are working, they are valued only by their 'efficient fulfilment' of homely responsibilities," she observes.

In India, historically, women are considered caregivers, be it for children or elders. Men do not expect themselves to be part of the process and consider them above all this.

Rudrani passionately speaks against the deeply rooted gender norms that burden women with relentless domestic work.

There is an absence of balance in the distribution of domestic work in India. Women in our country have to shoulder most of the domestic labour just because of their gender. And they are not even given credit for it.

Her fear for the future and frustration with the societal expectations placed on women is palpable."Even if I say that I would vehemently deny being a 24-hour caretaker of my husband, who will listen to me?" she questions, highlighting the urgent need for change.

Tanya shares the subtle expectations imposed on women, even in seemingly progressive households. The unequal division of labour becomes evident in her family dynamics.

Whenever my mom is not around I am made to take over no matter how busy I am. And it makes me realise how much my mom does around the house. I'm sure everyone knows that labor at an Indian home is divided very unequally. Women are engaged in household chores all day, and it's a thankless job.

Investing Beyond Rhetoric

To comprehensively address the issue at hand, mere rhetoric is insufficient. Tangible investments are imperative, encompassing the creation of robust support services, the generation of employment opportunities within the care sector, and the development of infrastructural frameworks that alleviate the burden on individual households. These investments should not be seen as expenses but as investments in the well-being and equity of our societies.

It's time to recognize, value, and redistribute the unpaid care work burden, paving the way for a future where women are not just heard but also relieved of the silent, thankless responsibilities that echo across homes worldwide.

Views expressed are the author's own.