Unseen & Undervalued Struggles of Women Domestic Workers

Addressing Systemic Challenges to Promote Dignity and Gender Equality in Domestic Work

- Aastha Nair & Divij Sharma

Domestic workers are the backbone of countless households across Indian cities. They wake before dawn, work tirelessly through the day, and return home long after dark, yet their labour remains unseen.

In homes across Indian cities, millions of women domestic workers sustain families, clean spaces, and care for children, while their own struggles go unnoticed.

These women leave their rural homes in pursuit of better opportunities, only to face low wages, exploitation, and denial of basic rights in urban environments.

Domestic workers, including househelps, cooks, drivers, and caregivers, ensure the smooth functioning of homes, enabling others to focus on their careers and personal lives. Yet, their essential labour is undervalued, leaving them vulnerable to social and economic challenges.

They form an important segment of India's informal economy but remain trapped in poverty and systemic neglect. Deep-rooted gender biases perceive household work as "unskilled," and caste-based prejudices further devalue their contributions.

They struggle to access necessities such as healthcare, education for their children, and safe working environments, while also facing abuse and exploitation.

Historically, domestic work in India has been intertwined with feudal systems, but its nature has evolved significantly over time.