Last week I was down with viral fever. I couldn’t move out of bed but with all the clutter, laundry, and dishes staring at me, and with the constant questions of, “Mamma where is this? I can’t find it”, I needed to declutter for a smoother week ahead. Although my elder daughter and my spouse were there to help with these household chores. But only for a few days, not after that.
If you live with your family like me, chances are you’ve experienced the same situation. But trust me, you’re not alone! Millions of women worldwide shoulder the burden of unpaid housework, often referred to as the "second shift." Men and our families think that we women can manage it all as this invisible labor keeps the household organized, but at what cost?
It does limit our time for work, hobbies, or even just a good night's sleep? Welcome to the hidden world of homemaking and its far-reaching consequences. So, grab a cup of coffee or tea (let the clutter be), relax, and let's unpack this invisible labor together!
According to the International Labor Organization, women spend over 16 billion hours of unpaid domestic and care work daily globally. This shockingly equates to more than 40% of global GDP if this work were assigned a monetary value. The gendered nature of this labor makes it even worse as women spend nearly 2.5 times more time on unpaid care and domestic work compared to men.
In India, women spend an average of 7.2 hours per day on these tasks, while men spend only 2.8 hours. This "second shift" of unpaid labor often leaves women with no or less time for paid employment, leisure, and self-care.
Impact on Women's Mental Health
Household chores such as childcare, and eldercare affect women's mental health.
A recent analysis of 70,310 individuals across nations shows the relationship between the amount of unpaid care work women perform and their mental wellbeing according to Lancet Public Health. This study shows that the domestic chores of women are negatively associated with their health status, both mental and physical.
According to the National Library of Medicine, found that women who spend more time on domestic work experience depressive symptoms. Women who do more household chores likely show signs of depression and this happens not because women do more but how they get to feel after doing so even if they are doing less at the same time unavailable. It means that when you want to see its impact on men’s mental health then remember to include the emotional burden of work that goes unrewarded as an essential component.
Women's Career
Women who take part in unpaid labor tend to have less time for paid work, which can lead to lower earnings and fewer career advancement opportunities. This is the reason why we find fewer women that make it to the top management level.
The COVID-19 pandemic has further widened this gap. A UN Women survey found that 55% of women in Bangladesh and 68% in the Maldives reported spending more time on domestic chores during the crisis, compared to only 33% of men in Pakistan.
Redistribute Household Tasks
One effective approach is to promote the sharing of domestic responsibilities between men and women. This can be achieved through public policies that support shared parenting and provide accessible public services.
For instance, Uruguay's Care Act now guarantees the right to quality care services for children, the elderly, and people with disabilities, while also promoting the sharing of domestic responsibilities between men and women.
We can invest in care infrastructure, such as daycare centers and eldercare facilities. This can reduce the burden on women and provide them with more time for paid employment and leisure.
And for God's sake, don’t tag a job to any gender. This thought process should be encouraged through education and awareness campaigns that highlight the importance of shared responsibilities in society.
Technology for Reducing Household Work
Technology can help you reduce household work. For example, smart home devices can automate tasks such as cleaning and cooking, freeing up time for you to engage in paid employment or leisure activities.
Some online platforms can facilitate the sharing of household tasks, allowing you to outsource specific chores or find partners to share responsibilities.
Some virtual care services such as childcare and eldercare, reduce the need to perform these tasks by you. Technology can empower us to participate in the workforce while still fulfilling the caregiving roles.
This is what it is, but the story doesn't end here! What are YOUR thoughts? Head over to the comments and share your experiences. Do you have any tips for tackling chores or asking for help to maintain a more balanced workload? Let's create a conversation and empower each other to find solutions for everyone. Together, we can build a future where the weight is shared more equally. Are you in?
If you have an opinion to share, please feel free to send an email to larra@globalindiannetwork.com.
Sadly.. the society including women often happily (or unknowingly) abet the degradation of women. In other words, the exploitation will continue until women put their foot down.