Women in Korail are feeling overwhelmed despite their economic activities, raising concerns about the toll of unpaid care work. According to Bangladesh’s first Time-Use Survey, women dedicate 5.9 hours daily to unpaid domestic work compared to men’s 0.8 hours. This unpaid work, valued at Tk 6.7 trillion in 2021, accounts for 18.9% of the GDP, with women contributing 85%.
As of 2024, women’s labor force participation was 38.41%, significantly lower than men’s 79.96%. The number of women in the labor force decreased from 2.53 crore in 2023 to 2.37 crore in 2024. Despite efforts to boost women’s economic empowerment, the burden of additional work is taking a toll on their well-being.
Development programs have encouraged women to diversify their income through various activities like tailoring, handicrafts, or poultry businesses. However, these endeavors often add to women’s workload without considering their existing responsibilities. With limited time in a day, women struggle to balance work, caregiving, and rest.
Shirin Rai’s concept of “depletion” in her book “Depletion: The Human Costs of Caring” sheds light on the consequences of overwhelming demands on women. This highlights the need to reevaluate women’s economic participation beyond training, business ventures, and income growth.
Bangladesh is taking steps to address care responsibilities by introducing modern daycare centers and improving childcare accessibility. However, there is a crucial need to integrate care considerations into livelihood programs to ensure sustainability for women. Programs should assess the impact of additional tasks on women’s well-being and address the burden they face.
It is essential to redistribute unpaid care responsibilities and consider the toll of additional work on women when designing development initiatives. A gender-responsive approach should prioritize women’s well-being and recognize the limits of their time and energy. Building a supportive environment that acknowledges women’s existing workload is crucial for sustainable economic empowerment.
Tasmiah T Rahman, a portfolio adviser at Innovision Consulting and a Ph.D. candidate in women’s labor market participation, emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing the challenges faced by women in balancing work and caregiving responsibilities.
