Introduction
In India, the persistent issue of low female labor force participation rate (FLFPR) has garnered significant attention in discussions about women’s empowerment. The Economic Survey 2023-24 reveals that India’s FLFPR stands at 37%, significantly lower than the global average of 47.8%. While there has been an increase from 23.3% in 2017-18, it is crucial to acknowledge that a substantial portion of this figure comprises “unpaid helpers in household enterprises.” This indicates a significant number of women are engaged in unpaid labor, separate from their domestic responsibilities.
This disparity in labor force participation not only perpetuates gender inequality but also hampers India’s economic growth potential. To address this challenge, a comprehensive approach that tackles the root causes of women’s limited economic engagement is imperative.
The Unseen Labor: The Burden of Unpaid Care
One of the primary barriers to women’s participation in the workforce is the disproportionate burden of care they shoulder within the family. This encompasses a broad spectrum of caregiving responsibilities, ranging from childcare to tending to the needs of elderly, sick, and disabled family members. In addition to these caregiving duties, women are also responsible for managing a myriad of domestic chores, further limiting their opportunities for economic participation.
Recent data highlights the stark reality of this disparity, revealing that women in India dedicate approximately three times more time daily than men to unpaid domestic work. This unpaid labor, often overlooked and undervalued, significantly constrains women’s ability to pursue education, acquire skills, and engage in paid employment.
Rethinking Childcare: A Comprehensive Approach
Recognizing the urgent need to address this challenge, the focus has shifted towards childcare provisions to facilitate women’s entry into the workforce. Progressive state governments have initiated efforts to bolster support services through the existing Anganwadi network, aiming to provide accessible and affordable childcare options for working mothers. The 2024-25 Budget also reflects a 3% increase in the Ministry of Women and Child Development’s allocation for the integrated childcare and nutrition program (Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 scheme), further demonstrating the government’s commitment to addressing childcare needs.
While these initiatives mark a positive step forward, it’s imperative to acknowledge that childcare is just one facet of the caregiving responsibilities borne by women. A holistic approach that encompasses the entire spectrum of care needs is essential to empower women to fully participate in the economy.
Beyond Childcare: Caregiving Across the Lifespan
Women assume the role of primary caregivers throughout the lives of their family members, not just during childhood. From nurturing young children to caring for aging parents and supporting family members with disabilities or illnesses, women’s caregiving responsibilities extend across the entire lifespan. To enable their economic engagement, a robust ecosystem that effectively addresses the diverse care needs of households is crucial.
This ecosystem must prioritize the protection of care workers’ rights, ensuring they are well-trained, receive fair wages, and are treated with dignity and respect. By creating a supportive environment for both care recipients and care providers, we can alleviate the burden on women and facilitate their active participation in the workforce.
Building a Responsive Care Ecosystem: A Multifaceted Approach
Creating a responsive care ecosystem demands a multifaceted approach that involves collaboration between the government, private sector, and civil society organizations. A needs-based assessment that identifies the specific mix of care services required across various age groups, socio-economic backgrounds, and geographical locations would serve as a critical first step in this process.
Additionally, a comprehensive mapping of supply-side actors and institutions, spanning the public, private, and non-profit sectors, is imperative. This mapping would help identify existing care providers, assess their capacity and capabilities, and identify gaps in service provision.
Furthermore, investing in the training and skilling of care workers is essential to ensure the delivery of high-quality care services. This includes providing training in various caregiving skills, such as geriatric care, disability care, and palliative care, as well as soft skills like communication and empathy. By equipping care workers with the necessary skills and knowledge, we can enhance the quality of care services and create a more professionalized care workforce.
The Rise of the Care Economy: Opportunities and Challenges
With the escalating demand for care services across the family life course, coupled with the increasing prevalence of health challenges and disabilities, the availability and quality of care workers have emerged as pressing policy concerns. These workers are engaged through various channels, including direct hiring by families, placement agencies, nursing bureaus, hospitals, home healthcare companies, and non-profit organizations.
While some organized entities offer training and maintain multidisciplinary teams to cater to diverse needs, the absence of standardized regulations results in significant variations in the availability, accessibility, affordability, and quality of care services across different regions. This lack of standardization poses challenges for both care recipients and care providers, highlighting the need for comprehensive policy interventions to regulate and professionalize the care sector.
Addressing the Skill Gap: Investing in Care Workers
There exists a pressing need to bridge the gap in training, skilling, and certification for a diverse range of care workers to meet the growing demand effectively. The Domestic Workers Sector Skill Council (now renamed the Home Management and Care Givers Sector Skill Council), the Healthcare Sector Skill Council, and the National Skill Development Corporation play pivotal roles in skilling and certifying care workers. However, more needs to be done to ensure that care workers receive adequate training and recognition for their valuable contributions.
Investing in the training and upskilling of care workers not only enhances the quality of care services but also creates opportunities for decent work and economic empowerment for women. By providing care workers with access to formal training, certification, and career advancement pathways, we can elevate the status of the care sector and attract more individuals, particularly women, to this vital field.
A Multifaceted Perspective on the Care Economy: Beyond Economic Productivity
The World Economic Forum’s report on the ‘Future of Care Economy’ offers valuable insights, emphasizing three key perspectives:
- Economic Productivity: Viewing the care economy as a catalyst for enhancing economic productivity.
- Business Perspective: Recognizing the care economy’s significance for organizations as both investors and employers.
- Human Rights Perspective: Prioritizing gender equality and disability inclusion within the care economy.
While acknowledging the economic benefits of a thriving care economy, it’s crucial to recognize that its value extends far beyond mere productivity. The care economy plays a fundamental role in promoting social well-being, strengthening families, and fostering a more inclusive and equitable society.
The Way Forward: A Comprehensive Policy Framework
To truly unlock the potential of the care economy and empower women, a comprehensive policy that defines the care ecosystem from a life course perspective is essential. The formation of a dedicated committee comprising representatives from the Ministries of Women and Child Development, Health and Family Welfare, Labour and Employment, Social Justice and Empowerment, and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship would be instrumental in initiating this process.
This committee would be tasked with developing a comprehensive policy framework that addresses the diverse care needs of individuals and families across their lifespan. This framework should encompass various aspects, including:
- Accessibility and Affordability: Ensuring that care services are accessible and affordable for all, regardless of their socio-economic background or geographical location.
- Quality and Standards: Establishing clear quality standards for care services and implementing mechanisms to monitor and enforce these standards.
- Training and Skilling: Investing in the training and upskilling of care workers to ensure the delivery of high-quality care services.
- Formalization and Regulation: Formalizing the care sector and implementing regulations to protect the rights of care workers and ensure fair working conditions.
- Gender Sensitivity: Recognizing and addressing the gendered nature of care work and promoting gender equality within the care economy.
Conclusion
India’s journey towards gender equality and economic progress necessitates a paradigm shift in how we perceive and address the care economy. By developing a robust and inclusive care ecosystem, we can not only alleviate the disproportionate burden on women but also unleash their full economic potential, contributing significantly to the nation’s growth and development.
Investing in the care economy is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic economic investment. By creating a supportive environment for caregiving, we can empower women to pursue their aspirations, enhance their economic well-being, and contribute to a more prosperous and equitable India.
Sunil Garnayak is an expert in Indian news with extensive knowledge of the nation’s political, social, and economic landscape and international relations. With years of experience in journalism, Sunil delivers in-depth analysis and accurate reporting that keeps readers informed about the latest developments in India. His commitment to factual accuracy and nuanced storytelling ensures that his articles provide valuable insights into the country’s most pressing issues.
