We must recognise the silent struggle of women

Unpaid Household Work in Bangladesh: A Hidden Challenge

It’s worth mentioning that unpaid household work is the foundation of society—the invisible labour that keeps our homes and lives running smoothly. 

The Current State of Unpaid Household Work in Bangladesh

Unpaid household work is an integral part of daily life in Bangladesh, encompassing a wide range of activities such as cooking, cleaning, childcare, and elderly care. It is the foundation upon which every society is built, and in Bangladesh, women play a pivotal role in maintaining their households. Unfortunately, this work often remains hidden and unappreciated, leading to a myriad of challenges.

The current state of unpaid household work in Bangladesh is characterised by a stark gender divide. Women bear the lion’s share of this responsibility, devoting an average of 13 hours per day to unpaid work, while men contribute only 1.2 hours, as per data from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS). 

Factors Exacerbating Unpaid Household Work in Bangladesh

1. Gender Norms and Stereotypes

   Traditional gender norms and stereotypes play a significant role in perpetuating unpaid household work. Women are expected to take on the responsibility of homemaking, while men are encouraged to participate in paid employment. 

   This creates a vicious cycle where women continue to shoulder the bulk of unpaid work. A UN Women report reveals that 80% of Bangladeshi women believe their most important role is to take care of the home.

2. Lack of Infrastructure and Services

   Inadequate infrastructure and public services in Bangladesh contribute to the burden of unpaid household work. Limited access to clean water, electricity, and modern kitchen appliances means women spend more time on tasks that could be made more efficient. The absence of reliable public transportation further adds to the time and effort required for daily chores.

3. Low Economic Empowerment of Women

   Economic disparities between men and women are a significant factor in exacerbating unpaid household work. The World Bank reports that the female labour force participation rate in Bangladesh is only 36.1%, considerably lower than the male participation rate of 81.1%. 

   This economic disparity forces women into a situation where they are financially dependent on men and unable to engage in paid employment, increasing their reliance on unpaid work.

4. Limited Social Support Systems

   Bangladesh’s social support systems often fall short of providing adequate assistance for tasks related to childcare and elderly care. This places an additional burden on women to shoulder these responsibilities, leading to an increase in unpaid work. The lack of affordable and accessible childcare facilities and elderly care centres forces women to allocate more time to these responsibilities.

5. Lack of Data and Recognition

   One of the critical factors exacerbating unpaid household work is the lack of comprehensive data and recognition. Unpaid work is often invisible in official statistics and rarely considered in economic policymaking. 

   This lack of recognition perpetuates the undervaluing of women’s contributions to the household and society. As a result, unpaid work remains largely invisible in national and international discussions.

Recognising the Selfless Work of Women in Unpaid Household Labour

• Acknowledge their contributions

  The first step in recognising women’s selfless work in unpaid household labour is to acknowledge and appreciate their immense contributions. Families, communities, and society at large should recognise and value the work done by women in maintaining households.

• Promote equal sharing of household tasks

  Encouraging a fair distribution of household tasks between men and women is crucial. Men should actively participate in domestic chores to reduce the burden on women and promote a more balanced family dynamic. Shared responsibility for housework should be normalised.

• Create supportive policies

  Government and policymakers can play a vital role in recognising women’s work through supportive policies. These policies should include incentives for women’s economic empowerment, the provision of affordable and accessible childcare services, and investments in infrastructure that can ease the burden of unpaid work.

• Collect data on unpaid work

  Comprehensive data on unpaid household work should be gathered to recognise its significance. Surveys and studies should be conducted to understand the extent and impact of unpaid work in Bangladesh. This data will provide the basis for evidence-based policies.

• Raise awareness

  Public awareness campaigns can significantly contribute to highlighting the importance of unpaid household work and the need to recognise and value women’s contributions. These campaigns should target both men and women, challenging societal attitudes towards traditional gender roles and responsibilities.

In a nutshell, unpaid household work in Bangladesh is a hidden challenge that disproportionately affects women. The gender disparities in unpaid work are exacerbated by traditional norms, inadequate infrastructure, economic disparities, limited social support systems, and a lack of recognition. 

To recognise and value women’s selfless contributions, it is crucial to acknowledge their efforts, promote equal sharing of household tasks, create supportive policies, collect data, and raise awareness. It is high time that we unveil and appreciate the invaluable role of women in Bangladesh in sustaining our homes and society.

About the Author

Md Ariful Islam is an anthropology graduate from the University of Dhaka and an independent researcher interested in climate change and social inequality

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • Target 5.4: Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure, and social protection policies and the promotion of shared responsibility within the household and the family.
   • Indicator 5.4.1: Proportion of time spent on unpaid domestic and care work, by sex, age, and location.

2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
   • Indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age, and persons with disabilities.

3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • Target 10.4: Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage, and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality.
   • Indicator 10.4.1: Labour share of GDP, comprising wages and social protection transfers.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 5: Gender Equality, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   • Under SDG 5, the specific target is Target 5.4: Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure, and social protection policies and the promotion of shared responsibility within the household and the family.
   • Under SDG 8, the specific target is Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
   • Under SDG 10, the specific target is Target 10.4: Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage, and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   • The article mentions Indicator 5.4.1: Proportion of time spent on unpaid domestic and care work, by sex, age, and location, which can be used to measure progress towards Target 5.4 under SDG 5.
   • The article mentions Indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age, and persons with disabilities, which can be used to measure progress towards Target 8.5 under SDG 8.
   • The article does not mention any specific indicator for Target 10.4 under SDG 10.

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Source: tbsnews.net

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