unpaid care work

The authors of ,  “Women and invisible work”  (26.1.17) in the Hindu has correctly raised a question whether , there is any alternative or option for women to free themselves from,  “unpaid care work “ rendered at home with greater strain  but with dedication and love , keeping in mind only the welfare of the family. It  is true that, certain responsibilities such as food management ,child and elder care can be rendered better buy women , not because men are incapable of managing them but, for centuries together the patriarchal  Indian society has kept them as forbidden areas of entry for men  .

 The working  women are not demanding freedom from home management in the name of , “women empowerment “. But they do expect  recognition for their , “unpaid care work” and not demean it by describing it as “zero contribution “to national income . Don’t the economists understand that , this “unpaid care work “ rendered  women contributes indirectly to national income, through gifting to the nation , healthy. educated and skilled  youth through their toil through their caring food , health and  education management of their children ? Are not men  freed  from the financial burden of empowering their children through higher education and skill acquisition through  income contribution  by working women?  

 What the working women expect is the due  recognition to their double burden and its ill effects on their health . What the need is not” symbolic gestures”  but, supporting services such as  working from home and  flexi time opportunities, safer transportation and  baby care facilities by the employers and a division of home responsibilities among the family members .