In sub-Saharan Africa, as in many other parts of the world, women take on a disproportionate share of unpaid work. This work, which includes domestic chores, child and elder care and other forms of unpaid work, is essential to the functioning of families and communities. However, it is often invisible and unrecognized, and has significant consequences for women, both economically and socially.
The main causes of the unequal distribution of paid and unpaid work
Traditional social and cultural norms assign women the primary role of domestic and family care. This responsibility is often considered natural and inherent to femininity. Women are therefore socialized from an early age to take on these tasks, without them being recognized or valued.- Poverty is also a factor contributing to the unequal distribution of paid and unpaid work. In poor households, women are often forced to work to support their families, reducing the time they have available for domestic and care tasks.
- Lack of infrastructure, including access to clean water, modern cooking facilities and affordable childcare, also contributes to the unequal distribution of paid and unpaid work. Women are often responsible for collecting water, preparing meals and caring for children. The lack of adequate infrastructure makes these tasks even more time-consuming and exhausting.
- Inadequate public services, infrastructure and social protection policies
- Inadequate public services, infrastructure and social protection policies also contribute to the unequal distribution of paid and unpaid work.
- Limited access to public services such as childcare, health care and public transport often forces women to take on these tasks themselves, limiting their time available for paid work.
- Inadequate infrastructure, such as access to drinking water, electricity and sanitation, also forces women to devote more time to domestic tasks.
WAY FORWARD
- Social protection policies, such as family allowances and parental leave, can help reduce women’s unpaid workload. However, such policies are often insufficient or non-existent in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Getting legislators interested in promoting women’s participation in the labor market
- To promote women’s participation in the labor market and reduce the unequal distribution of paid and unpaid work, it is essential to put in place public policies that tackle the root causes of this problem.
- Legislators must commit to promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment. They must adopt laws and policies that guarantee women access to public services, infrastructure and social protection policies.
Here are some concrete examples of actions legislators can take:
- Adopt laws that guarantee gender equality in access to education, vocational training and employment.
Invest in public services, such as childcare, healthcare and public transport.
Implement social protection policies, such as family allowances and parental leave. - By working together, legislators, civil society organizations and development partners can create an environment conducive to women’s participation in the workforce and gender equality.
