Sharing the load: A collective responsibility for women to equitably access the workforce

By Kathryn Moore

What does it take for families to be a push factor for women in the workforce? A 2020 report by Oxfam India highlighted a shifting mindset in Indian households, with families serving as a support for women to work. The proportion of families supporting their daughters’ careers over traditional marriage priorities rose to 54% in 2020, up from 34% a decade earlier.

The Complex Dynamics of Family Responsibilities

In India, women are the bedrock of their families: and the data speaks. Women spend almost ten times more time on unpaid domestic tasks compared with men. This highlights the "double burden" women in the workforce endure, where they are expected to excel both at home and work. The expectation is that women will manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously. However, a study published in PLOS One (Public Library of Science One) reveals that women are no more proficient at multitasking than men, and they experience similar levels of stress when balancing professional, familial, and societal obligations. This finding challenges the common perception that women are inherently better at multitasking, highlighting the equal pressures faced by any individual in managing multiple roles. The mental load from constant multitasking often causes women to doubt if working is worth the stress - leading women to sacrifice career aspirations in favor of domestic obligations.

What does it take for families to be a push factor for women in the workforce? A 2020 report by Oxfam India highlighted a shifting mindset in Indian households, with families serving as a support for women to work. The proportion of families supporting their daughters’ careers over traditional marriage priorities rose to 54% in 2020, up from 34% a decade earlier. This cultural shift reflects growing support for women’s empowerment through employment. For real, widespread social behavior change to occur, families must continue to expand this trend and actively support women thrive in their careers. One way families may support women, especially male family members, is embracing and redistributing household tasks. When domestic work and childcare are shared among family members, the burden on working women is significantly reduced—both practically and emotionally.

The Motherhood Penalty: An Unjust Reality

Despite growing awareness, working mothers continue to face the well[1]documented “motherhood penalty.” Women with children are often perceived as less committed or flexible at work, while fathers rarely face the same scrutiny. According to a 2015 Catalyst India survey, nearly 50% of working women reported some form of bias after returning from maternity leave, such as being sidelined for key projects or facing job instability. Flexibility in work schedules is essential for women to balance their dual roles. Yet, many mothers are forced into less competitive positions due to caregiving responsibilities, making them vulnerable to job insecurity and discrimination.

Addressing the Barriers: Transportation and Safety

The challenges women face extend beyond the home. Commuting risks, especially for women living far from urban centers, poses a significant barrier to workforce participation. A 2019 Ola Mobility Institute Survey found that 79% of women felt unsafe using public transport, particularly at night, limiting their ability to take jobs requiring long or irregular hours. Ensuring women’s safety during commutes is essential; without this, many families may hesitate to allow women to work outside the home.

Moving Toward an Equitable Future

The path forward is clear: we must dismantle rigid gender roles that trap women in cycles of overwork, underappreciation, and emotional strain. Families have a valuable role to play in acknowledging that women are equally valuable contributors to both their family and the economy. To achieve this, families must actively share responsibilities, and employers and the government must implement equitable policies and access to infrastructure required to enable safety and viable employment opportunities.

Male Engagement: Key to a Gender-Equal Workforce

Education plays a pivotal role in this transformation. Engaging and investing in not just women and girls but also men and boys is crucial when addressing gender equality and promoting women’s workforce participation. Men, particularly those in leadership roles or with advanced education, should take the initiative to drive this change starting within their own homes, and thereafter extend their influence to their communities and workplaces. In today’s rapidly changing world, families play an increasingly pivotal role in shaping the workforce participation of women. While families have historically provided essential support, they are now a crucial factor in either facilitating or hindering a woman’s ability to engage in paid work. It is time to recognize the importance of family structures and take collective action to ensure they empower women, rather than burden, discourage, or, at worst, prohibit them as they navigate their professional and domestic responsibilities.

There are countless examples of how families have supported Indian women to be catalysts for change in their families, communities and society, and there is so much more that can be done. By challenging long-standing gender stereotypes and advocating for equitable support systems, we can foster a society that values growth, inclusivity, and well-being for all. A more balanced, egalitarian society will benefit not just women but families and the broader economy. It is our collective responsibility to turn this vision of families as a push factor for women in the workforce into reality.

By Kathryn Moore, Head, Social Impact, Lodha
Published in Economic Times