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The burden of unpaid activities on gender equality in Indian states

Aditi Prasad, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)
Aparajita Chattopadhyay, International Institute for Population Sciences, India

In the context of traditional Indian society, where women’s activities are undervalued, this study, exploring the Time Use Survey of India (2019), understands the time use pattern of women and the burden of unpaid activities. The unpaid work of women is strongly associated with gender inequality. Existing indicators, such as the United Nations Gender Inequality Index, fail to address this crucial facet of life. To understand the effect of unpaid work on gender inequality and society, this study attempts to create a Modified Gender Inequality Index, which gives a snapshot of gender inequality in a state or country. The findings reveal that women work longer than men in general and tend to face a shortage of time for indulging in some leisure activities. A significant variation within geographic regions exists in the prevalence of unpaid activities of women and the extent of gender inequality in certain states. Loss in achievements due to gender inequality is the highest in the northern states of India. The study provides valuable insights into a less researched topic of time use pattern in India and amplifies the need for interventions in improving gender equality with respect to the burden of unpaid activities borne by women.

Keywords: Gender, Inequality, Time use surveys

See extended abstract.

  Presented in Session P21.