A recent study from Pakistan highlights the significant challenges faced by women in care work. The burden of care and low-paid labor disproportionately affects women on the margins of social power. Pakistan’s population is expected to rank third globally in 25 years, leading to increased care needs across various settings. Despite the necessity of care work, it is often viewed as a duty assigned to women rather than recognized as skilled labor deserving dignity and policy attention.
The International Labour Organization has emphasized the importance of acknowledging and supporting care workers for decent work and equality. However, the reality in Pakistan reflects a stark disparity in the distribution of formal and informal care work among women, underscoring the intersectional nature of this issue. Research indicates that women in roles such as domestic workers face multiple layers of inequality based on gender, class, and minority status, contributing to their exploitation and invisibility.
Studies in different regions of Pakistan, such as Abbottabad and Sargodha, further illustrate the existing gender disparities in care work. Women are shown to undertake significantly more unpaid care work than men, reinforcing traditional gender roles. Additionally, research on nursing identity reveals how gender, class, and professional hierarchies devalue nurses, leading to challenges such as insecurity, harassment, and lack of recognition. Lady health workers also encounter difficulties such as insecurity, harassment, and the struggle for formal acknowledgment.
The complexities of inequality faced by women in the care workforce in Pakistan are deeply intertwined. Their identities based on gender, economic status, religion, and social background collectively influence their working conditions, safety, and legal protection. Recognizing the intersectionality of these challenges is crucial for building a fairer future in Pakistan. Addressing the inequalities in paid and unpaid care work is essential for creating a more equitable society.
