Undermining household work demeans women

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Udisa Islam
Published : 05:00, Dec 13, 2019 | Updated : 05:00, Dec 13, 2019

As per BBS survey, if men spend 1.4 hours on average for household work then women spend 3.6 hours. If women are not working out of home, they spend 6.2 hours for house work against 1.2 hours by men.In establishing women’s social status, the recognition for household work is essential. Since this is not acknowledged, women are suffering mentally and financially. Women’s rights activists say that since there isn’t any economic evaluation of household work, women are constantly undermined by other members of family.
A research conducted by Work for Better Bangladesh Trust says that 81 percent of women are engaged in direct household work whereas only 1.3 percent men are thus engaged. While 19 percent women are involved in employment, 98.7 percent are engaged in irregular work.
As per Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) women’s involvement in work without wages is three and a half times more than men. When asked about mothers who work at home, children often say: “They do not do anything.” Though in reality, their mothers manage the family and look after their education.
Women’s rights activist, Zeenat Ara Huq who is coordinator of ‘We Can’, feels that first house hold work or house management needs to be recognized by all.
The belief that household work should be done by women only needs to change. It is not enjoyable, women do not get paid and there’s no respect. As women are compelled to do this, they feel belittled.
Men can easily go out of the house without a worry but a woman cannot go outside without attending to the children, the elderly and the pets.
Researcher of Bangladesh Institute for Development Studies (BIDS) Naznin Ahmed said: “Work where discrepancies exist between men and women need to be identified.”
As per BBS survey, if men spend 1.4 hours on average for household work then women spend 3.6 hours. If women are not working out of home, they spend 6.2 hours for house work against 1.2 hours by men.
BBS reports that due to lack of proper recognition, 65 percent women face physical abuse, 36 percent sexual abuse and 82 percent mental torture. About 53 percent also face financial pressure.
Most women also engage in physical intimacy with husbands against their will.
Director of BRAC’s project to prevent violence against women, Nabanita Chowdhury, said: “The relentless work of a woman to look after everyone in the family is a mental torture. Often they do not even get any gratitude from anyone.”
But instead of acknowledging women’s work, household members only find faults with them.
Specialists feel that mentality will change if people are taught from early in life. Naznin Ahmed, says: “Home economics and home management should be taught to both boys and girls at school.”
Once household work is divided among husband and wife, mental peace increases, added Nabanita Chowdhury.

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