by Daphney Klopper
In Africa, women’s unpaid labour is a powerful yet often overlooked force driving the economy. This essential work includes caregiving, household chores, and community support. The ILO (International Labour Organisation) and one.org Africa estimates Women’s unpaid work to be at 10% -39% of a countries GDP. To put this into perspective, this contribution is more than three times that of the South African agricultural sector (2.83%) and rivals the industrial sector (24.68%) Stats SA 2023.
Despite its significant impact, women’s unpaid labour remains unrecognized in official economic metrics. This lack of acknowledgment means that the contributions of millions of women are invisible to policymakers and economists. By ignoring this vital industry, we fail to provide the necessary support, such as subsidies, economic assistance, infrastructure, education, and research and development, that other sectors receive.
The implications of this oversight are profound. When an industry is not quantified, it cannot receive the support it needs to thrive. This is particularly true for unpaid labour, which is often performed by women in vulnerable households. This perpetuates inequity and limits women’s autonomy, as they are not afforded the same economic recognition and support as those in paid employment. The social wage, designed to assist these households, does not compensate for the unpaid work that women do.
Most women and girls, whether employed or unemployed, contribute to unpaid labour. This includes care work, own-use production, volunteer work, childcare, and domestic work. Many women business leaders, in their capacity as change advocates, work unpaid often in addition to full-time work. Despite not being paid, this work has significant value and contributes to the economy. As a result of women performing the majority of unpaid labour this imbalance reinforces gender inequality.
Imagine the crazy idea of forming a union for unpaid workers. Such a union could provide a platform for advocating for better recognition and support for unpaid labour, similar to how other industries receive support. By organizing and raising their voices, unpaid workers could push for the acknowledgment and resources they deserve. If we did this, though, the union would probably be run by unpaid women.
Women’s unpaid labour is not just a statistic; it is the backbone of our society. It crosses all boundaries—race, sexual orientation, disability, religion, and economic status. From the girl child to the adult woman, unpaid work is a part of almost every woman’s life. By acknowledging and supporting this work, we can create a more equitable and inclusive society.
Let’s champion the invisible labour of women and push for its recognition in government policies. Together, we can ensure that the contributions of all women are valued and supported.
We call on governments to recognize the contributions of women’s unpaid labour to the economy. By acknowledging this in policy and economic planning, we can begin to address the inequities and provide the necessary support to this vital sector.
According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), “One reflection of this has been the inclusion in the Sustainable Development Goals of a target to recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work (Target 5.4).” The Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development, adopted in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly, has major implications for national statistical systems worldwide. These systems face the complex task of producing reliable, consistent, and comparable statistics for an increasing number of goals and targets.
Daphney Klopper is a dynamic leader in the property industry and a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). As the Founder and Director of The Hive, Accelerating Women in Business in South Africa, she empowers women and drives change. With qualifications as a Principal Property Practitioner (NQF 5) and Property Practitioner (NQF 4), and studies on Leading Diversity and Inclusion at Work from UCT, Daphney brings a wealth of knowledge to her roles. She serves as the Property Sector Lead for the Western Cape at WECONA, the Women’s Economic Assembly, and is a member of the Woman in Property Network (WPN) and the Cape Chamber of Commerce (CCOC). Daphney has led The Hive, focusing on accelerating women in business.