In a recent landmark decision, the highest court in the nation brought attention to a matter often overlooked—the immeasurable contribution of homemakers to their families. Justices Suryakant and K. Vishwanathan emphasized the challenge of appraising the symbolic significance of homemakers’ roles, asserting that their impact is as vital as that of any wage-earning family member.
This isn’t the first occasion where the judiciary expressed discontent with the undervaluation of homemakers’ efforts. In January 2021, the Supreme Court, while deliberating on a motor accident compensation case linked to a woman’s demise 17 years ago, underscored the need to recognize the pivotal role of homemakers. The court proclaimed, “The notion that homemakers don’t work or contribute to the household is a flawed assumption. Deciding the remuneration for a homemaker is a critical matter that validates the efforts of countless women engaged in this activity, whether by choice or societal and cultural norms.”
Between 1968 and 2021, around 200 cases of motor accident compensation exposed the tendency of insurance companies to undervalue homemakers’ work. This trend reflects society’s indifference to the relentless dedication and sacrifices made by homemakers. While acknowledging the inherent value of homemakers’ love, sacrifice, nurturing, and dedication is essential, it is equally crucial to question how fair it is to deem their relentless hard work as worthless.
The rise in suicide rates among homemakers over the past two decades is disconcerting. Yet, their struggles remain on the fringe of social and political discourse, likely due to the issue lacking political currency. Despite surpassing the suicide rate of farmers annually from 2021 to 2023, the predicament of homemakers seldom surfaces in political and social dialogues.
A pertinent question arises: How do we quantify the economic value of homemakers’ work? India has initiated efforts to measure the contribution of women in household work to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This move challenges entrenched norms and contributes to dispelling stereotypes surrounding their duties. Recognizing their work in economic terms will not only empower homemakers but also garner the respect they rightfully deserve.
Homemakers, constituting the largest global workforce, deserve acknowledgment and respect for their work, free from unnecessary ridicule and criticism. To empower women, particularly in patriarchal societies like India, it is imperative to debunk the myth that being a homemaker is inconsequential and that their work is incomparable to corporate sectors. Incorporating homemakers’ contributions into GDP calculations will serve as a catalyst for breaking traditional norms and ensuring due recognition for the essential work they undertake.
In reevaluating the value of homemakers, we can foster a more equitable society—one that appreciates the diversity of roles women play and recognizes their contributions as indispensable pillars of our collective well-being.
