TV
A recent government survey has highlighted significant gender disparities in Odisha, revealing that women in the state spend nearly three times more time on unpaid domestic work than men.
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation's (MoSPI) Time Use Survey (TUS) 2024, conducted between January and December 2024, provides a comprehensive analysis of how individuals allocate their time across various activities.
Survey Methodology and Scope
The TUS 2024, the second of its kind after the inaugural 2019 survey, collected data from over 50,000 individuals aged six and above across India.
Participants were asked to record their activities over a 24-hour period, segmented into 30-minute intervals, capturing both primary and secondary activities. This methodology offers a detailed insight into daily routines, encompassing paid work, unpaid domestic tasks, caregiving, and leisure activities.
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Gender Disparities in Unpaid Domestic Work
The survey's findings for Odisha are particularly striking. In rural areas, women dedicate an average of 307 minutes per day to unpaid domestic services, while men contribute only 107 minutes.
In urban settings, the disparity persists, with women spending 290 minutes compared to men's 100 minutes. This indicates that women are undertaking nearly three times the amount of household work as their male counterparts.
Additionally, women are more involved in unpaid caregiving services. Rural women spend 141 minutes daily on caregiving, whereas rural men allocate 91 minutes. In urban areas, women dedicate 142 minutes, while men spend 87 minutes on such activities.
Employment Participation and Time Allocation
The survey also sheds light on employment-related activities. In Odisha, rural men spend an average of 424 minutes per day on employment and related tasks, compared to rural women's 323 minutes.
Urban men allocate 502 minutes, while urban women spend 382 minutes daily. Nationally, the participation rate in employment activities for individuals aged 15-59 years stands at 75% for men and 25% for women, indicating a persistent gender gap in workforce engagement.
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Time Spent on Learning and Self-Care
The survey reveals that both rural and urban residents in Odisha spend approximately 407 to 412 minutes daily on learning activities, reflecting a consistent commitment to education across regions.
However, time allocated to self-care and maintenance, including activities like eating, sleeping, and personal hygiene, is slightly lower than the national average. Rural men spend 748 minutes, rural women 723 minutes, urban men 723 minutes, and urban women 714 minutes daily on self-care.
Implications and Policy Considerations
The TUS 2024 highlights the disproportionate burden of unpaid domestic and caregiving work borne by women in Odisha. These responsibilities not only limit women's participation in the formal workforce but also impact their overall well-being and personal development.
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Addressing these disparities requires targeted policy interventions aimed at redistributing household responsibilities, promoting gender equality in domestic roles, and facilitating greater workforce participation among women.
