Care Work and its Effects on Women's Economic Empowerment

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.