Why in news?
Public debates on gender roles, dowry deaths, domestic violence and the undervaluation of women’s unpaid work have renewed focus on the domestic sphere in India. Statistics from government surveys show deep inequalities in how household responsibilities are shared.
Current realities
- Violence and inequality: The National Family Health Survey (NFHS‑5) reports that 30% of women face intimate partner violence, yet only 14% file complaints. Approximately 7,000 dowry deaths were recorded annually between 2017 and 2022.
- Time‑use disparities: The 2024 Time Use Survey shows that 93% of women spend around seven hours per day on unpaid domestic work, while men contribute an average of only 26 minutes.
- Invisible contribution: A State Bank of India study estimates that if women’s unpaid domestic work were monetised it would equal 7% of India’s GDP (around ₹22.5 lakh crore). Many frontline workers—Anganwadi, mid‑day meal cooks and ASHA workers—are still labelled “volunteers” and lack formal recognition.
Ethical and constitutional dimensions
- Equality and dignity: Discrimination in the domestic sphere violates Article 14 (equality before law) and Article 21 (right to life with dignity). The persistence of marital rape debates and undervaluation of women’s work undermines these rights.
- Directive Principles: Article 39(d) calls for equal pay for equal work and Article 42 demands humane working conditions. These remain aspirational in practice.
- Ethics in governance: The Second Administrative Reforms Commission noted that deep‑rooted patriarchy in social institutions is a major obstacle to probity and justice.
Socio‑economic significance
- Economic subsidy: Women’s unpaid labour keeps subsistence wages low and indirectly subsidises the economy.
- Intergenerational impact: Care work shapes child development, education and health outcomes, influencing the future workforce.
- Social cohesion: Violence and inequality within families undermine trust, productivity and democratic participation.
Challenges
- Patriarchal norms: Cultural expectations glorify women’s sacrifices and discourage sharing of domestic tasks.
- Policy blindness: Resistance to criminalising marital rape and dilution of domestic violence protections reveal reluctance to address private‑sphere abuse.
- Economic undervaluation: Informalisation of care work and absence of wages perpetuate exploitation.
- Gendered labour divide: Household burdens fall disproportionately on women across caste and class lines.
- Institutional silence: Lack of strong political discourse and weak mechanisms for redress keep domestic issues under the radar.
Way forward
- Legal and institutional reforms: Recognise marital rape as a crime; strengthen enforcement of the Domestic Violence Act; ensure secure wages and benefits for frontline care workers.
- Economic recognition: Explore ways to account for unpaid work in national accounts and expand social security and pension schemes for caregivers.
- Cultural shifts: Promote gender sensitivity in school curricula and public campaigns. Encourage shared domestic responsibilities among men and women.
- Policy interventions: Provide universal childcare and eldercare services; expand maternity and paternity benefits to redistribute caregiving.
- Data and monitoring: Conduct regular time‑use surveys to inform gender‑responsive policies.
The domestic sphere is a public issue with profound economic, social and ethical consequences. Valuing women’s work, protecting their rights and redistributing responsibilities are essential to achieving justice and sustainable development.