Women’s Care Responsibilities Keep Them Out of the Workforce: A Deep Dive into the Latest ILO Report

Why 53% of Women in India Are Excluded from Workforce?

According to a recent report by the International Labour Organization (ILO), titled ‘The Impact of Care Responsibilities on Women’s Labour Participation,’ 53% of women in India are not part of the labor force due to caregiving duties. This report underscores the critical need for increased investment in the care economy, particularly in early childhood care and education (ECCE), to support unpaid caregivers and promote gender equality.

The Scope of Care Responsibilities

Care responsibilities extend beyond just childcare. They include a wide array of domestic tasks such as cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, and maintaining the household. Additionally, they encompass caring for children and elderly family members.

The Economic Impact of Care Services

The ILO report highlights how accessible and affordable care services, including childcare, can significantly boost female participation in the labor force. A study covering 82 countries found that every dollar invested in improving childcare leave and ECCE could increase global GDP by an average of $3.76 by 2035.

Global Comparisons

The report notes that countries like Iran, Egypt, Jordan, Mali, and India have more than 50% of women outside the labor force due to care responsibilities, necessitating further investment in the care economy, especially ECCE. In contrast, nations such as Belarus, Bulgaria, Latvia, and Sweden, where investments in ECCE account for around 1% of GDP, have less than 10% of women outside the labor force for caregiving reasons.

The Situation in India

The National Statistical Office’s 2019 Time Use Survey provides a stark picture of the gender disparity in unpaid domestic and care work in India. It reveals that a significant proportion of Indian women spend considerable time on these tasks. About 81% of females aged six and above dedicate over five hours daily to unpaid domestic and care work. This percentage increases to 85.1% for women aged 15-29 and 92% for those aged 15-59. Even among women aged 60 and above, 78% are involved in unpaid domestic services.

In sharp contrast, men spend just over an hour daily on such tasks, with participation rates of 24.5% (age 6+), 22.5% (ages 15-29), and 27% (ages 15-59).

Men and Care Responsibilities

The report also highlights that in India, only 1.1% of men are outside the labor force due to care responsibilities. This stark contrast underscores the gender imbalance in caregiving duties.

The Impact on Educated Women

Another ILO report, ‘India Employment Report 2024: Youth Employment, Education, and Skills,’ points out that educated women are disproportionately excluded from employment. The report indicates that a significant portion of India’s youth, particularly young women, are not engaged in education, employment, or training (NEET).

Youth and Employment

The report states that one in three young people in India falls into the NEET category, with this phenomenon being almost equally prevalent in both rural and urban areas. Over time, the percentage of young women in this category has increased, especially among older youth compared to younger ones. Statistics show that 48.4% of young women are NEET, compared to only 9.8% of their male counterparts, accounting for around 95% of the total youth population not in employment, education, or training in 2022. Even among educated youths, women face higher levels of unemployment than men.

Conclusion

The ILO’s findings shed light on the urgent need for substantial investment in the care economy to enable more women to join the labor force. Addressing this issue is not just about economic growth but also about achieving gender equality and empowering women. As we continue to push for these changes, it is essential to recognize and support the immense value of care work, ensuring that women have the opportunity to participate fully in the workforce.