“The care economy is a critical but undervalued pillar of sustainable economic development.” Assess its role in supporting households and labour markets. Examine the challenges in recognising care work. Suggest policy measures to strengthen the care ecosystem in India.
Kartavya Desk Staff
Topic: Inclusive growth and issues arising from it
Topic: Inclusive growth and issues arising from it
Q5. “The care economy is a critical but undervalued pillar of sustainable economic development.” Assess its role in supporting households and labour markets. Examine the challenges in recognising care work. Suggest policy measures to strengthen the care ecosystem in India. (15 M)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: IE
Why the question Growing policy attention to the care economy, women-led development and rising female labour force participation in India has brought focus on the invisible role of unpaid care work in sustaining households and economic productivity. Key Demand of the question The question requires assessing the statement that the care economy is an undervalued pillar of development by explaining its role in supporting households and labour markets. Structure of the Answer Introduction Briefly define the care economy and highlight its importance in supporting human capital, labour productivity and inclusive development despite being largely invisible in economic accounting. Body Role of care economy in households and labour markets: Briefly indicate how caregiving sustains human capital formation and enables workforce participation. Challenges in recognising care work: Briefly suggest issues such as invisibility in GDP accounting, gendered social norms and lack of formal care infrastructure. Policy measures to strengthen care ecosystem: Briefly indicate measures such as expanding childcare infrastructure, integrating care economy into economic planning and improving labour protections for care workers. Conclusion Provide a forward-looking remark emphasising that recognising and institutionalising the care economy is essential for achieving inclusive growth and women-led development.
Why the question
Growing policy attention to the care economy, women-led development and rising female labour force participation in India has brought focus on the invisible role of unpaid care work in sustaining households and economic productivity.
Key Demand of the question
The question requires assessing the statement that the care economy is an undervalued pillar of development by explaining its role in supporting households and labour markets.
Structure of the Answer
Introduction
Briefly define the care economy and highlight its importance in supporting human capital, labour productivity and inclusive development despite being largely invisible in economic accounting.
• Role of care economy in households and labour markets: Briefly indicate how caregiving sustains human capital formation and enables workforce participation.
• Challenges in recognising care work: Briefly suggest issues such as invisibility in GDP accounting, gendered social norms and lack of formal care infrastructure.
• Policy measures to strengthen care ecosystem: Briefly indicate measures such as expanding childcare infrastructure, integrating care economy into economic planning and improving labour protections for care workers.
Conclusion
Provide a forward-looking remark emphasising that recognising and institutionalising the care economy is essential for achieving inclusive growth and women-led development.