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16/05/2012 | Note for equality
Economic Autonomy

Note for equality N° 1: Men work fewer hours than women
Women spend more hours of their time on unpaid work and they lack own incomes at higher rates than men. It is necessary to develop public policies to release women’s time, as this strengthens their economic empowerment and contributes to the eradication of poverty and to economic development.

Why measure unpaid work?



• Because with this measurement the unequal distribution of unpaid work between men and women becomes visible. This is fundamental in explaining why women cannot participate on equal terms in the labor market and access to economic resources.

• Because the precarious labor market participation of women impacts countries’ productivity, and constitutes an inefficient use of the labor force that retards economic development.

• Because freeing women’s time facilitates their access to economic resources through the participation in wage labour and the development of productive enterprises. When women generate income they improve their living conditions and contribute to the reduction of poverty within households.

• Because a more equitable distribution of work, both paid and unpaid, is an essential pillar for the construction of more egalitarian societies.

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