Care Work and its Effects on Women's Economic Empowerment

Abstract

Care Work plays a critical role in human well-being and economic development, particularly
emphasising the disproportionate burden shouldered by women globally. Care work, which
includes unpaid or underpaid activities related to caregiving, has profound implications for
women's participation in the workforce and their ability to achieve economic independence. This
study articulates the problem of gender disparities in labour force participation, wages, and job
quality stemming from women's extensive involvement in unpaid care work. The research
objective is to synthesise findings from various projects to provide insights into the challenges and
opportunities within the care economy and recommend interventions to alleviate the unequal
burden of care work on women, thereby advancing gender equality and economic empowerment.
The study was scoped to encompass various aspects of care work, including paid and unpaid
caregiving-related activities. The methodology employed for data collection involved a literature
review of existing research on care work. Data analysis was performed using both qualitative and
quantitative methods. The study found that unequal distribution of caring responsibilities between
men and women, rooted in social norms, is a barrier to women's full engagement in the paid
economy. Addressing these inequalities in unpaid care work is crucial for advancing gender
equality and enhancing women's economic empowerment. Neglecting the recognition, reduction,
and redistribution of unpaid care work perpetuates gender disparities and limits women's
opportunities for economic advancement and leadership roles. The study recommends efforts to
alleviate the unequal burden of care work on women to transform their economic empowerment
and contribute to broader gender equality goals.