Women’s unpaid chores put them at risk – what can be done?
The research investigates how the heavy burden of unpaid care and household work pushes women toward illness, especially during COVID‑19. Researchers organized four discussion forums in Uganda and Kenya with local residents and government officials to capture women's experiences, political discourse, and potential changes.
Framework: ILO’s “5 Rs”
Using a framework based on the International Labour Organization’s “5 Rs”—Recognize, Reduce, Redistribute, Reward, and Represent—the authors combine feminist politics and social ecology to explain how neglect of unpaid work creates a dangerous home environment.
- Recognize the invisible labor women perform.
- Reduce the load through policy and support.
- Redistribute tasks equitably across genders.
- Reward the effort with compensation or recognition.
- Represent women’s voices in decision‑making.
Health Consequences
Poor sanitation, lack of clean water, and crowded living spaces turn homes into disease hotspots. The unpaid work burden becomes a slow, hidden violence that feeds sickness.
Voices from the Forums
Participants suggested:
- Fairer division of chores.
- Monetary payment for women’s unpaid labor.
However, many proposals faced pushback, including fears of violence if traditional roles shift. This underscores how deeply entrenched gender norms are and the difficulty of altering them.
Policy Implications
The forums proved valuable by giving ordinary voices a platform and translating everyday experiences into policy demands. The authors recommend that post‑pandemic recovery plans focus on:
- Reforming physical spaces where care occurs (e.g., improving sanitation, expanding living areas).
- Revising rules that dictate who performs which tasks.
These changes could reduce the health risks women face and promote gender equity in care responsibilities.
