This data, shared on the UN's X account, underscores the far-reaching impact of unpaid care work on women's economic opportunities and well-being.
In a sobering revelation on the barriers facing women in the global labor market, the United Nations has highlighted new data showing that over 700 million women worldwide are unable to pursue paid employment due to unpaid care responsibilities.
This data, shared on the UN's X account, underscores the far-reaching impact of unpaid care work on women's economic opportunities and well-being.
The findings, compiled by the International Labour Organization (ILO), spotlight the disproportionate share of unpaid household and caregiving duties that women shoulder.
This burden significantly limits their ability to seek or sustain employment, affecting both household income and broader economic growth.
Despite increasing calls for gender equality in the workplace, these entrenched social norms and lack of accessible childcare services create considerable barriers for women hoping to join the labor market.
According to the ILO, unpaid care work is a major obstacle not only to women's financial independence but also to economies worldwide, as women's potential contributions are left untapped.
The organization emphasizes the urgent need for policies that support women in balancing caregiving with paid work.
These include increased investment in childcare infrastructure, promoting flexible work arrangements, and addressing the gender norms that assign primary caregiving roles to women.
"The costs of unpaid care work go beyond just lost wages. It reinforces gender inequality and limits progress toward global economic development," said an ILO spokesperson.
Addressing this gap is essential, the organization argues, for achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on reducing poverty, achieving gender equality, and promoting decent work for all.
The ILO report comes amid global discussions on women's empowerment, with many advocates calling on governments to implement actionable steps to dismantle the structural barriers that restrict women's employment options.
