Why in the News?

More urban women have paid jobs but still handle most household work. Though more men now help, the gender gap remains wide. Northeastern states see higher male participation in domestic works.

What are the trends in urban women’s participation in paid jobs and household work?

• Increase in Paid Employment but Still Low: The share of urban women engaged in paid work rose from 15.5% in 2019 to 18% in 2024. Example: In Tamil Nadu and Telangana, about 25% of urban women participate in paid work, significantly higher than Bihar (9%) and Uttar Pradesh (10%).
• Unpaid Household Work Burden Remains High: Despite employment growth, the share of women doing unpaid household work increased from 79.3% to 81%. Example: In Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh, over 80% of employed women also do unpaid domestic chores, highlighting the dual burden.
• More Men Helping, but Gender Gap Persists: The share of urban men doing unpaid domestic work rose from 23% to 28.5%, but women’s share remains disproportionately high. Example: In Kerala and Northeastern states (Sikkim, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh), over 50% of urban men participate in household chores, while in most states, it remains between 20-40%.

Why does the gender gap in household chores persist despite more men helping?

• Deeply Rooted Social Norms and Gender Roles: Household work is still perceived as a woman’s responsibility, while men’s participation is seen as “helping” rather than sharing duties equally.
  Example: Even in urban households where women work full-time, they are expected to manage cooking, cleaning, and childcare, while men engage in minimal domestic tasks.
• Unequal Time Distribution Between Paid and Unpaid Work: Women balance both employment and domestic responsibilities, whereas men often focus primarily on paid jobs. Example: In Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh, over 80% of employed women still do household chores, while men’s share remains significantly lower.
• Limited Structural Support for Household Work: Lack of affordable childcare, elderly care services, and domestic help forces women to take on more unpaid work. Example: Countries like Sweden offer state-funded childcare and paternity leave, reducing the burden on women, whereas India lacks similar support systems.
• Workplace Expectations and Rigid Work Hours: Men often work longer hours outside the home and face social stigma if they take time off for household chores. Example: In corporate India, men who seek flexible work hours for family responsibilities may face negative career perceptions, unlike in Nordic countries, where parental leave is encouraged for both genders.
• State-Wise Cultural Differences in Gender Roles: Some states, particularly in Northeast India (Sikkim, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh), have higher male participation in household chores due to more egalitarian traditions. Example: In Kerala, 44% of men contribute to domestic work, but in states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, men’s participation remains under 30% due to traditional patriarchal norms.

Which Indian states have the most urban men doing unpaid household work?

• Northeastern States Lead in Male Participation: Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland have the highest share of urban men engaged in household chores, with over 50% participation. Example: In these states, matrilineal or more egalitarian traditions encourage men to take on domestic responsibilities, unlike in many other parts of India.
• Kerala Tops Among Major States: Kerala has 44% of urban men involved in household work, the highest among major Indian states. Example: Kerala’s higher literacy rates, progressive gender norms, and a strong service sector contribute to greater male involvement in domestic chores compared to states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, where men’s participation remains below 30%.

Why is female workforce participation higher in Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Karnataka?

• Strong Industrial and Service Sectors: These states have thriving industries like textiles, IT, and manufacturing, which offer more employment opportunities for women. Example: Tamil Nadu’s garment industry, Telangana’s pharmaceutical sector, and Karnataka’s IT and startup ecosystem employ a significant number of women.
• Progressive Socio-Cultural Norms and Policies: Higher literacy rates, better education access, and state-driven welfare policies encourage female employment. Example: Tamil Nadu’s Cradle Baby Scheme and Telangana’s WE-Hub for women entrepreneurs promote women’s workforce participation.
• Higher Urbanization and Better Infrastructure: Cities like Chennai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru provide better public transport, safety measures, and childcare facilities, making it easier for women to work. Example: Karnataka’s free bus travel for women initiative improves women’s mobility, indirectly supporting their workforce participation.

Way forward: 

• Strengthening Gender-Inclusive Policies: Implement affordable childcare, flexible work hours, and workplace safety measures to support women’s workforce participation.
• Encouraging Equal Domestic Responsibility: Promote shared household duties through awareness campaigns, parental leave policies, and incentives for men to engage in unpaid domestic work.

Mains PYQ:

Question: Distinguish between gender equality, gender equity and women’s empowerment. Why is it important to take gender concerns into account in programme design and implementation? [UPSC 2024]

Linkage: The gap between men and women in household work shows that equality at home is still missing, making it harder for women to be truly empowered.

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