Women, Work and the Domestic Sphere: Exposing the Invisible Burden

Why in the News?

1. Recent public remarks have reignited debate on the framing of women’s role primarily within the family and reproduction, raising concerns about regressive interpretations of “nari shakti.”
2. Data from the Time Use Survey (TUS) 2024 and National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5) highlight deep gender disparities in unpaid domestic and caregiving work.
3. Questions are being raised on how public policies address (or overlook) the issues of domestic violence, unpaid labour, and undervaluation of women’s work.

Key Highlights

1. Gendered Narratives on Women’s Roles
   1. Certain narratives continue to position women primarily as reproducers and caregivers, sidelining their autonomy and choice.
   2. While public debates often focus on inter-community relationships (Love Jihad), silence persists around dowry deaths, marital rape, and domestic violence.
   3. Historical struggles, such as debates around reforms of Hindu personal laws, reflect a long-standing tension between patriarchal norms and progressive reforms for women’s rights.
2. Violence Against Women in the Domestic Sphere
   1. Dowry deaths: Nearly 7,000 women die annually (2017–2022), adding up to 35,000 deaths in 5 years.
   2. Intimate partner violence: NFHS-5 found 30% of women surveyed reported violence, but only 14% approached the police.
   3. Domestic violence accounts for one-third of all registered crimes against women.
   4. Cultural pressures often discourage women from leaving abusive marriages.
3. Findings from the Time Use Survey (2024)
   1. Employment & Family Enterprises:
      1. 25% of women in paid employment (5 hrs/day) vs 75% of men (8 hrs/day).
      2. 23% of women contribute to family enterprises (2 hrs/day), vs 14% of men (2 hrs/day).
   2. Unpaid Domestic and Care Work:
      1. 93% of women spend 7 hrs/day on unpaid domestic tasks; only 30% of men participate, averaging 1.5 hrs/day.
      2. 41% of women spend 2.5 hrs/day caregiving; only 21% of men do so (1 hr 14 min/day).
   3. Overall: Women work more hours than men, yet have less time for rest and leisure.
4. Presentation and Interpretation of Findings
   1. Official narratives often highlight women’s contribution to caregiving as a marker of strong family values.
   2. However, such framing risks glorifying gender inequality, instead of addressing the structural imbalance of unpaid work.
   3. A balanced approach should celebrate women’s contributions while also promoting equitable sharing of responsibilities.
5. Economic Undervaluation of Women’s Labour
   22. SBI Report (2023): Monetising unpaid women’s work would add 7% to India’s GDP (~₹22.5 lakh crore annually).
   23. Unpaid work effectively subsidises low wages, since household subsistence is supported by invisible labour.
   24. Women in public service roles (ASHA, anganwadi, mid-day meal workers) are often treated as volunteers, with low honorariums instead of proper wages and benefits.

Constitutional Provisions Related to Women

1. Fundamental Rights
   1. Article 14 – Equality before law and equal protection of laws.
   2. Article 15(1) – Prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.
   3. Article 15(3) – Permits the State to make special provisions for women and children.
   4. Article 16(1) – Equality of opportunity in matters of public employment.
   5. Article 21 – Right to life and personal liberty (expanded by SC to include dignity, safety, and reproductive rights).
   6. Article 23 – Prohibits traffic in human beings and forced labour.
2. Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs)
   1. Article 39(a) – Equal right to an adequate means of livelihood for men and women.
   2. Article 39(d) – Equal pay for equal work for both men and women.
   3. Article 39(e) – Protecting the health and strength of workers, men and women.
   4. Article 42 – Provision for just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief.
   5. Article 45 – Provision for early childhood care and education for children below six years.
   6. Article 47 – Duty of the State to raise the level of nutrition and standard of living, particularly relevant for women’s health.
3. Fundamental Duties
   1. Article 51A(e) – Duty of every citizen to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women.
4. Political Representation
   1. Article 243D – Reservation of not less than one-third of seats for women in Panchayats.
   2. Article 243T – Reservation of not less than one-third of seats for women in Municipalities.
   3. 106th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2023 – Provides 33% reservation for women in Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies (implementation: subject to delimitation).
5. Other Protective Provisions
   1. Article 326 – Voting rights for all adults irrespective of gender.

Implications

1. Societal:
   1. Reinforces patriarchal norms by normalising unequal household responsibilities.
   2. Silence on domestic violence perpetuates unsafe environments for women.
2. Economic:
   1. Women’s unpaid work significantly contributes to national productivity but remains unrecognised in GDP accounting.
   2. Lack of proper compensation depresses women’s financial independence.
3. Political/Institutional:
   1. Policy narratives sometimes prioritise family values over addressing inequalities.
   2. Weak enforcement of protective laws leaves women vulnerable within homes.
4. Policy:
   1. Inadequate recognition of care workers’ roles in public service.
   2. Surveys reveal gaps between data insights and policy actions.
5. Human Development:
   1. Women’s overwork reduces rest, leisure, and self-care, impacting health and well-being.
   2. Sustains intergenerational cycles of inequality by transmitting unequal norms.

Challenges and Way Forward

Conclusion

Women’s empowerment in India cannot be meaningful if their contributions within the domestic sphere remain invisible, undervalued, and unprotected. Addressing domestic violence, recognising unpaid care work, ensuring fair wages for women in public services, and fostering cultural change for shared responsibilities are essential steps. Moving beyond rhetoric, true empowerment must ensure that women are treated as equal partners in both private and public life.