Recent data from India’s Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) marks the growing concern over women’s unpaid care work. The 2024 Time Use Survey reveals that women, especially young women aged 15-29, spend more time than men on unpaid caregiving. Experts are urging the government to explore whether this unpaid work is a matter of choice or social obligation. This issue is critical for understanding women’s low participation in the workforce and the broader implications of time poverty.
Unpaid Care Work in India
Unpaid care work includes childcare, eldercare, household help, and related activities. Women spend more time on these tasks than men. In 2024, women averaged 137 minutes daily on unpaid care compared to 75 minutes for men. Young women aged 15-29 spent 164 minutes daily, up from 154 minutes in 2019. Men’s time in this age group increased only slightly to 77 minutes. This rising burden disproportionately affects women’s availability for paid work and skill development.
Time Poverty and Female Labour Force Participation
Time poverty refers to the lack of discretionary time due to unpaid work. It limits women’s ability to seek paid employment or enhance skills. India’s female labour force participation rate (LFPR) remains low at 33.7% for ages 15 and above, versus 77% for men. For young women aged 15-29, the rate drops to 21.4%, compared to 60.7% for men. Studies show that an increase of two hours in unpaid care correlates with a 10% drop in female labour participation, underlining the impact of care work on employment.
Policy Recommendations and Survey Improvements
Experts recommend that future surveys distinguish whether women undertake unpaid care out of preference or obligation. This could help shape targeted policies. They also suggest collecting data on digital access within households to understand its effect on time use. Additionally, capturing women’s passive or supervisory care roles is important to fully assess care work’s scope. These measures aim to provide a clearer picture of unpaid work and inform gender-sensitive policy interventions.
Significance of Digital Access and Care Supervision
Digital access can influence how household members allocate time to work and care. Differentiating between shared and exclusive digital use helps assess its impact on productivity and leisure. Supervisory care, often invisible, involves overseeing others’ needs without direct physical work but still restricts freedom. Recognising these aspects is crucial for addressing women’s overall time poverty and improving their economic participation.
Gender Disparities and Societal Impact
The persistent gender gap in unpaid care work reflects deep-rooted social norms. Women’s disproportionate responsibility limits their career prospects and economic independence. Addressing this imbalance requires both social change and policy support. About the nuances of unpaid care work helps show barriers to gender equality in the labour market and society.
Questions for UPSC:
- Critically discuss the concept of time poverty and its impact on female labour force participation in India.
- Examine the role of unpaid care work in perpetuating gender inequality and suggest policy measures to address it.
- Analyse the effects of digital access on household time use patterns and gender roles in India.
- Estimate the socio-economic consequences of low female labour force participation and propose strategies for improvement.
