Empowering Women for Viksit Bharat

Context

The vision of Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047 emphasizes inclusive growth, with a focus on women-led development. However, achieving this goal requires addressing the systemic issue of women’s invisible labour. Invisible labour refers to unpaid and unrecognized work, primarily in domestic and caregiving roles, which disproportionately falls on women. This article explores the implications of this labour on women’s economic participation and the broader developmental aspirations of India.

The Scope of Invisible Labour

1. Unpaid Domestic Work: The Time Use Survey 2024 highlights that women in India spend an average of 289 minutes per day on unpaid domestic services, compared to just 88 minutes for men. This includes cooking, cleaning, and other household chores. Despite a marginal reduction since 2019, the disparity remains stark.
2. Caregiving Responsibilities: Women also spend 137 minutes daily on unpaid caregiving activities, such as looking after children, elderly family members, or the sick. In comparison, men spend only 75 minutes on similar tasks. These responsibilities limit women’s ability to engage in paid employment or pursue skill development.
3. Informal and Low-Paid Work: Many women transition from unpaid work to low-paid or informal jobs due to time constraints and lack of opportunities. For instance, in sectors like construction, women earn significantly less than men despite performing similar physical labour.

Impact on Economic Mobility

1. Gendered Division of Labour: The unequal distribution of unpaid work perpetuates structural inequalities. Women are often forced into part-time or informal roles with limited job security and benefits. This restricts their long-term economic mobility and professional growth.
2. Wage Gaps and Employment Disparities: India’s female labour force participation rate has improved to 41.7% as per the Periodic Labour Force Survey 2023-24 but remains far below the male participation rate of 78%. Wage gaps persist, with women earning less than men for similar work across various sectors.
3. Cascading Social Effects: The burden of invisible labour not only hampers women’s economic prospects but also reinforces societal norms that undervalue their contributions. This creates a vicious cycle where women’s work—both paid and unpaid—remains underappreciated.

Invisible Labour in Specific Sectors

1. Construction Industry: Women constitute nearly half of India’s construction workforce but are often relegated to unskilled roles like brick hauling or stone breaking. They earn less than their male counterparts and face poor working conditions without adequate safety measures.
2. Care Economy: The International Labour Organization (ILO) has emphasized the need for investments in early childhood care and education to reduce the caregiving burden on women. Strengthening the care economy could create job opportunities while alleviating unpaid caregiving responsibilities.

Steps Towards Addressing Invisible Labour

1. Policy Interventions

• • Recognition of Unpaid Work: Policies should formally recognize unpaid domestic and caregiving work in national accounting systems.
  • Support for Caregiving: Investments in childcare facilities, eldercare programs, and paid family leave can reduce the burden on women.
  • Skill Development: Training programs tailored for women can help them transition into higher-paying formal jobs.

2. Legal Reforms

• • Enforcing equal pay for equal work across all sectors is crucial.
  • Strengthening labour laws to protect women in informal sectors like construction can improve their working conditions.

3. Awareness Campaigns

• • Promoting gender equality at home through public awareness campaigns can encourage men to share domestic responsibilities.
  • Organizations like SEWA (Self Employed Women’s Association) have been instrumental in educating women about their rights.

Women-Led Development: A Pillar for Viksit Bharat

India’s aspirations for Viksit Bharat hinge on empowering its female population. The government has already taken steps through various initiatives which aim to increase women’s workforce participation. However, addressing invisible labour is critical to unlocking their full potential.

Conclusion

Women’s invisible labour is a hidden pillar supporting households and economies but remains undervalued and unrecognized. For India to achieve its dream of Viksit Bharat, systemic changes are needed to redistribute domestic responsibilities, bridge gender gaps in employment, and ensure equitable opportunities for all genders. Recognizing and addressing invisible labour is not just a matter of justice but also an economic imperative for sustainable development by 2047.

Source: The Indian Express

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