“COUNTING WHAT DOESN’T COUNT : WOMEN’s UNPAID WORK AND GDP”

INTRODUCTION

The world we see around us thrives on invisible efforts, many of which go unnoticed in our economy. At the heart of this silence stand women. They are the backbone of families, the unseen managers of daily life, and the quiet force that keeps society alive. The contrast becomes clearer when one leaves home to study or work in a hostel. Suddenly, every basic need has a price tag — food in the mess, laundry charges, cleaning services. Yet at home, the same services are carried out by mothers, wives, and sisters, without recognition or pay. What is counted as “work” in the market is treated merely as “duty” in the household. This paradox highlights a truth we often overlook: women’s unpaid domestic labour is not just personal service, it is economic contribution. It deserves recognition — but recognition must not become a barrier that confines women only to their homes.

THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN DOMESTIC LIFE

A woman plays multiple roles at home. She is the wife who runs the home, the sister who helps her siblings, the daughter who takes care of her parents, and the caregiver who raises the children. She makes sure that the family’s needs are satisfied by rising early in the morning, frequently before everyone else, and going to bed last. She takes care of the elderly, cooks, cleans, and oversees the household budget. In times of need, she takes on the roles of a manager juggling the household, a friend offering consolation, a teacher guiding her kids, and a nurse caring for the ill. She performs all of this work for free, without acknowledgment, and frequently without sleep.

The same services—food, care, cleaning, and instruction—are valued and compensated for outside the home. They are taken for granted in the house. In order to have something of their own, some homemakers even secretly set aside a small portion of household funds, as many do not have direct financial independence. However, in terms of economics, this labour is still invisible despite their enormous contribution. Despite the fact that families and society as a whole could not function without it, it is not reflected in GDP. Thus, a woman’s character in the home is strong and selfless: she is a manager, a coach, a teacher, and a caregiver, all of whom are still unacknowledged.

THE ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVE

According to a 2023 State Bank of India report, women housewives make a substantial contribution to the Indian economy through their unpaid labour, which is estimated to be worth Rs 22.7 lakh crore, or roughly 7.5% of the country’s GDP. This contribution, which is frequently disregarded in national accounts but is vital for maintaining the formal economy and the well-being of households, includes basic services like childcare, cleaning, and cooking. In India, approximately 160 million women work as housewives. According to data from the National Sample Survey Organization, a woman typically devotes 297 minutes per day to household chores, compared to a man’s mere 31 minutes. Daily household tasks like cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, nursing, supervising domestic help, budgeting, and other tasks are all part of a homemaker’s job. But being a housewife is not a career. It isn’t regarded as an economic endeavour. This not only diminishes the significance of the work but also alienates those who perform it, primarily women. In India, the terms “woman” and “homemaker” are frequently used interchangeably.

We frequently forget that we would have to pay professionals a salary if we hired them to perform the aforementioned tasks. What compensation is appropriate for the millions of housewives who perform these tasks on a daily basis? Upon close inspection, it becomes evident that homemakers’ activities have a direct impact on macroeconomic outcomes. For example, homemakers choose what dairy products to buy for their families and navigate the market for fruits and vegetables. With respective values in the trillions of rupees, these are two of India’s biggest markets. Every household in every sector of society uses the goods from these markets. Homemakers are therefore the economy’s biggest consumer base. A household’s budget and savings are also managed by the homemakers. This illustrates how homemakers affect national savings because household savings account for the largest portion of gross domestic savings. Savings encourage investment spending, which raises GDP. Thus, homemakers have a direct impact on the two main economic determinants of saving and consumption.

If the government introduces a scheme to pay women for household work, it would certainly bring recognition, dignity, and financial independence. This recognition could help women gain confidence, contribute to family income, and find space to excel in their personal and professional lives. It would send a powerful message that their labour is not free but valuable.

However, the negative side of this move cannot be ignored. In a patriarchal society like ours, there is a real danger that such schemes could trap women further inside the household. Families might discourage girls from pursuing higher education or professional careers, arguing that “household wages” are enough. Instead of empowering women to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with men in every field, it might reinforce the idea that their primary role is inside the home.

Such an outcome would contradict the spirit of Article 14 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees equality to all citizens. True empowerment is not about confining women to the home under the guise of financial assistance, but about opening doors for them to study, work, lead, and participate fully in society.

Therefore, while the recognition of domestic work is essential, the government must ensure that policies do not unintentionally restrict women’s opportunities. Alongside any monetary recognition, there should be strong measures to encourage education, skill development, and leadership roles for women. Only then can dignity, recognition, and financial independence coexist with equality and progress.

NIVESHAK DIDI INITIATIVE

The Niveshak Didi (DD) is a unique initiative launched by the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) in collaboration with the Department of Posts and the India Post Payments Bank (IPPB). It is also supported by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) through its Investor Protection and Education Fund.

The initiative is aimed at promoting financial literacy among women, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas, where access to financial education is limited.

Key Features–

Women trainers, called Niveshak Didis, are appointed to conduct interactive sessions.Local languages are used to ensure easy communication. Training modules include: Basics of savings and investments, Awareness about Ponzi schemes and fraudulent products ,Banking, insurance, and retirement planning, Digital payments and UPI safety.

Significance- Promotes women empowerment by giving them confidence in financial decision-making. Brings rural women into financial markets, encouraging them to shift savings from non-productive forms (like gold or cash) to productive investments. Helps in preventing frauds and protecting households from Ponzi schemes. Contributes to economic development and increases household participation in formal investments. Supportsthe National Strategy for Financial Education (2020–2025) and complements government schemes such as Jan Dhan Yojana, Stand-Up India, and Mudra Yojana.

Challenges– Limited internet access and digital literacy in remote areas.Cultural and social barriers that restrict women’s financial participation.The need for sustained training and follow-up programs to ensure long-term impact.

As per RBI data, only 27% of Indian women are financially literate, despite managing a large share of household savings.

CONCLUSION

Domestic work is the invisible backbone of our society. It deserves recognition and dignity, but such recognition must not become a cage that restricts women to the four walls of their homes. The government should create policies that value women’s unpaid laborwhile also ensuring their financial independence, health, and self-respect.

Initiatives like Niveshak Didi show us the path forward — they honor women’s contribution within the household, while also equipping them with financial literacy and confidence to step beyond and lead. True empowerment lies not in confining women to traditional roles, but in giving them the freedom to choose, to grow, and to lead.

A nation grows stronger not when women are seen only as homemakers, but when they are also celebrated as change–makers.