Archive · 29 Dec 2025
Pakistan's Care Work Burden on Marginalized Women
In Pakistan, women, especially those who are poor or from minority groups, do a lot of unpaid and low-paid care work.
This includes taking care of people at home, in hospitals, and in the community.
Even though this work is very important, it is often not recognized or valued.
Women do much more of this work than men, and they face many challenges like insecurity, harassment, and not being treated fairly.
The research shows that being a woman, being poor, and belonging to a minority group all make it harder for these women to have safe and good jobs.
Pakistan needs to recognize and address these inequalities to build a fairer future.
Pakistan is projected to become the world's third most populous nation in 25 years, increasing care needs.
Women, especially those at the margins of social power, bear the heaviest burden of care and low-paid labour.
The International Labour Organisation called for stronger recognition of care work and coordinated action for decent work and equality in Pakistan.
Research shows that women conduct several times more unpaid care work than men, reinforcing gender inequalities.
Gender, class, and professional hierarchy devalue nurses, who are often stigmatized and disrespected.
- Who
- Women, especially those at the margins of social power in Pakistan.
- What
- The burden of care and low-paid labour falls heaviest on these women.
- When
- The research was highlighted at the Dawn Population Summit in December.
- Where
- Pakistan.
- Why
- Due to social and class hierarchies, the exploitation of women in care work is often hidden.
- Population Projection
- Pakistan is projected to become the world's third most populous nation in 25 years.
- Care Work
- Care work includes direct personal care and indirect care activities in domestic, hospital, and community settings.
- International Day of Care and Support
- The International Labour Organisation called for stronger recognition of care work and coordinated action for decent work, social protection, and equality for all care workers in Pakistan.
- Research Findings
- Women, especially those at the margins of social power, bear the heaviest burden of care and low-paid labour.
- Intersectionality
- The burden of care work is shaped by gender, class, and minority identity, making it a deeply intersectional issue.
- Exploitation
- Exploitation of women in care work is often hidden due to social and class hierarchies.
- Inequalities
- Women conduct several times more unpaid care work than men, reinforcing gender inequalities.
- Nursing Identity
- Gender, class, and professional hierarchy devalue nurses, who are often stigmatized and disrespected.