From Caregivers to Change-Makers: Empowering Women’s Political Participation by Acknowledging Unpaid Care Work in Sub-Saharan Africa

Background

Across the globe, the evidence of women’s care labor is unequivocal: women bear the majority (76.2%) of unpaid care work. In many societies, unpaid care work is a fundamental aspect of women’s daily lives. In Sub-Saharan Africa, in particular, the burden of unpaid care work carried by women is significant (Adatti et al., 2018). Unpaid care work, which includes tasks such as childcare, cooking, cleaning, and caring for elderly family members, is crucial for the well-being and functioning of households and communities; yet, it often goes unrecognized and undervalued (UNDP, 2009).

On average, women spend 201 days per year on unpaid work, while men spend only 63 days. In fact, women dedicate an average of 4.15 hours per day to unpaid care work (Charmes, 2019). This unequal distribution of unpaid care work between men and women can have severe implications for women’s political participation (IMF, 2024). One of the most significant barriers is the disproportionate amount of unpaid care work that falls on women’s shoulders. This situation is recognized as a major challenge to women’s economic empowerment, as the time spent on these tasks restricts their ability to engage in the labor market and participate in political decision-making processes.

This article aims to explore the impact of unpaid care work on women’s political participation and propose strategies for recognizing and alleviating the burden of unpaid care work to empower women’s political involvement in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The first section of this brief will present the burden of unpaid care work for women in Sub-Saharan Africa, the second section will analyze its impact on their political participation, and the third section will propose strategies to rethink unpaid care work to enhance women’s involvement in politics.

The Disproportionate Burden of Unpaid Care Work on Women in Sub-Saharan Africa

Women in sub-Saharan Africa spend much more time on unpaid care work than men, averaging 4.15 hours per day compared to men’s 1.25 hours (Addati et al., 2018). This inequality limits women’s access to education, employment, and political participation. The burden of care work restricts their involvement in political activities and can lead to mental and physical exhaustion, discouraging them from pursuing political ambitions.

Unpaid care work in Sub-Saharan Africa is rooted in traditional gender roles. The IMF (2024) identifies it as the main reason for women’s exclusion from the labor market and political aspirations. Women are exploited for their unpaid services, while men retain decision-making power, increasing the gender gap in politics.

About 36.4 percent of women with direct care responsibilities are outside the labor force, compared to 19.8 percent of men (IMF, 2024). The unequal distribution of unpaid care work consumes women’s time and energy, hindering their political engagement and access to necessary resources and opportunities. This burden worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic (Lokot et al., 2020).

During the pandemic, women worldwide spent, on average, 3.2 times more hours on unpaid care work than men. In the U.S., U.K., and Germany, women also dedicated more time to homeschooling and childcare than men during COVID-19 (Adams-Prassl et al., 2020). This persistent imbalance affects women’s well-being and their economic and political opportunities.

Impact on Women’s Political Participation in Sub-Saharan Africa

Unpaid care work significantly hinders women’s political participation in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Caregiving responsibilities leave women with limited time, resources, and support for formal political activities, such as attending meetings and campaigning. Patriarchal norms and traditional gender roles further discourage women’s involvement in politics and decision-making. However, research indicates that mentoring groups can enhance women’s political engagement (Kumar et al., 2019). The unequal distribution of unpaid care work is linked to cultural beliefs about gender roles, reinforcing traditional norms that exclude women from decision-making. This division of labor perpetuates women’s disproportionate burden of unpaid care work, limiting their time and energy for political participation.

Equal political participation at all government levels is crucial, as emphasized by SDG target 5.5, which seeks to ensure women’s full participation and equal leadership opportunities. However, women are still underrepresented in local governments, holding 29% of elected seats in Sub-Saharan Africa compared to 41% in Northern Asia. While the proportion of female parliamentarians in Sub-Saharan Africa increased from 10% in 1997 to 23% in 2020, further efforts are needed to enhance women’s political participation by acknowledging their daily contributions.

Strategies to Rethink Unpaid Care Work and Enhance Women’s Political Participation in Sub-Saharan Africa

Despite the crucial role that women play in care work, they continue to encounter barriers to full participation in political processes and decision-making at all levels. To promote women’s political empowerment, it is essential to reevaluate unpaid care work and challenge traditional gender roles. Acknowledging and alleviating the burden of unpaid care work is vital for enhancing women’s political participation.

One of the initial strategies is to promote men’s engagement by encouraging the equitable sharing of caregiving responsibilities. This can be achieved by offering paternity leave and flexible work arrangements for all genders, as was the case during the COVID-19 pandemic in some countries (Carlson et al., 2020). Such measures can help alleviate the burden of unpaid care work on women and enhance their participation in political activities.

Secondly, governments should invest in affordable and accessible childcare services to alleviate the childcare burden on women and facilitate their participation in political activities. This may involve providing subsidies for childcare services or establishing community-based childcare centers.

Thirdly, communities must play a critical role in rethinking unpaid care work. Community-based initiatives, such as cooperatives and support groups, can help distribute the burden of care work among members, thereby providing women with more time for political participation (Kumar et al., 2019). Additionally, political parties should be encouraged to address unpaid care work in their platforms and policies by promoting gender-responsive budgeting and advocating for measures that support women’s political empowerment.

Additionally, governments should monitor and evaluate the impact of their policies on reducing the burden of unpaid care work and advancing women’s political empowerment. This approach will help identify areas for improvement and ensure that policies effectively address the needs of women.

Conclusion

The issue of unpaid work is critical for enhancing women’s political participation in Sub-Saharan Africa. Challenging traditional gender norms, acknowledging the impact of unpaid care work on women’s lives, and implementing gender-responsive policies can help create more inclusive and equitable societies. Empowering women to balance their household responsibilities with active participation in public life is essential for achieving gender equality and sustainable development in the region.