Addressing unpaid care work in Sri Lanka: Tool to boost economy and alleviate poverty

■2023 study done by Women and Media Collective, asserts that the economic value of women's unpaid care work could increase Sri Lanka's GDP by at least 30% ■2021 Labour Force Survey in Sri Lanka cites 73% of economically inactive population to be women ■Among unemployed women in Sri Lanka, 59% cite their care responsibilities as the primary reason for being outside the labour force

- BY RANDIMA ATTYGALLE

MARKING the International Day of Care and Support on 29 October, The Asia Foundation and Women and Media Collective (WMC) with support from Global Affairs Canada, hosted the second National Convening on Recognising Unpaid Care Work in Lanka. The key highlight at the event was the launching of the report: 'Why Reduce & Redistribute Unpaid Care Work? Findings from a Time Use Survey in Seven Districts in Sri Lanka.'

The report, drawing on research conducted by the WMC, provides a snapshot of women's and men's use of their time and labour engaging in direct care of others, indirect care of households and community care. It reiterates the urgent the need to recognise the value of unpaid care work as a critical component of the economy and to integrate reducing and redistributing unpaid care responsibilities into national policy frameworks. The report also highlights barriers to accessing reliable care services such as day care services, and examines perceptions of gender and the influence of gender norms on the distribution of care work within households, the state and the broader economy.

The report also tables recommendations to recognise, reduce and redistribute the disproportionate care responsibilities borne by women and girls and thereby enabling them to become proactive contributors to the national economy while promoting self-development.

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