Bangladeshi women spend more time than men in unpaid works: Study

Bangladeshi women spend around eight hours on average per day in unpaid caring works while their male counterparts spend only one and a half hours in such activities, according to a recent research, says UNB.

The research also found women spending around one hour in paid works whereas men spend more than five hours in a day for getting paid.

The findings were revealed on Saturday at a photo exhibition arranged by ActionAid Bangladesh titled 'Different Images of Men' at the Drik Gallery in the city.

ActionAid conducted the research using 'the time dairy method' interviewing some 600 participants of AAB POWER project of Lalmonirhat and Gaibandha districts.

Research Initiatives Bangladesh (RIB) executive director Meghna Guhathakurta presented the research findings in the programmme.

Meghna said the patterns indicate that women have been contributing in more productive works (3.24 hrs) without getting paid now-a-days.

Besides, their working hours in unpaid tasks are much higher than that of men, forcing the female to carry double burden, she added.

She said the findings also showed that elderly women are allowed to enjoy more leisure time during their working hours as they enter the paid work at that period when should go for retirement.

The study also found out an emerging trend of rural areas where women's contributions are accepted in the society only for brining economic solvency, said Meghna adding in spite of being earning members, women are still subject to violence there due to the existence of patriarchy system.

The research also uncensored the need for enacting supportive state policies and development strategies aiming to enable women to bring positive changes in their lives in terms of work status.

During the programme, finance minister AMA Muhith said the inclusion of the unpaid works of women in the country's GDP is yet to get international acceptability. "But we can start it," he added.

Drik managing director Shahidul Alam also spoke on the occasion while ActionAid country director Farah Kabir presided over the programme.