IAS Gyan

Daily News Analysis

92% Indian women take part in unpaid domestic work; only 27% men do so

1st October, 2020 Economy

Context: More than 90% of Indian women participated in unpaid domestic work at home in 2019 compared to 27% of men.

Key Findings:

  • On the other hand, only 22% of women participated in employment and related activities compared to 71% of men.
  • Though subtle regional variations existed, more than 84% of women participated in unpaid domestic work across all States, regardless of men's participation in such work and women's participation in employment and related activities.
  • The data are based on a National Statistical Office survey conducted between January and December 2019.

Division of work

State-wise analysis

Southern, western and central States

  • In these States, more women went to work compared to other States.
  • However, when it came to household work, there was no significant difference.
  • More than 90% of women participated in domestic work in these States.
  • Thus their work burden was relatively higher.
  • Goa was an outlier with relatively more men participating in household work.

Northern and eastern States

  • In these States too, the majority of women participated in household work.
  • However, relatively fewer women were also engaged in employment and related activities.
  • There was a stark difference in men's participation in unpaid household work: in many northern States, relatively fewer men participated in household work, while in the east, more men participated.

Northeastern States

  • A relatively higher % of men in most of these States participated in household chores.
  • The % of women doing such work was also very high.

https://www.thehindu.com/data/92pc-indian-women-take-part-in-unpaid-domestic-work-only-27pc-men-do-so/article32729100.ece?homepage=true