A Quebec-based group is calling on the Canadian government to address the disproportionate burden of unpaid labour on women, following a United Nations committee report highlighting its impact on gender equality.
In its submission to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), Association féministe d’éducation et d’action sociale (AFEAS) focused on the recognition and valuation of “invisible work” in Canada and internationally. The organization said that unpaid tasks and caregiving responsibilities, predominantly undertaken by women, create tangible disadvantages throughout their professional lives and into retirement.
CEDAW’s concluding observations on Canada expressed concern over “the disproportionate burden of unpaid labour, caregiving, and domestic responsibilities placed on women in Canada, which significantly hinders their social and economic empowerment and limit their access to education, employment opportunities, and career advancement, therefore contributing to economic insecurity and reinforcing gender inequalities.”
The committee called on Canada to implement measures supporting women performing unpaid work and to develop mechanisms for assessing its impact on poverty and economic inequality, particularly among Indigenous women, women with disabilities, and immigrant women.
According to Statistics Canada, the economic value of unpaid work in 2022 was estimated between $581.6 billion and $860.2 billion annually, representing 25.2 to 37.2 per cent of the GDP.
AFEAS’ advocacy highlights an issue with significant implications for employers and policymakers, as the unpaid work burden on women affects their participation in the workforce and career advancement opportunities.
Since 1975, international women’s conferences have acknowledged the importance and economic value of unpaid work for communities. Founded in 1966, Afeas has been committed to gender equality, focusing on women’s equal participation in democratic institutions and the recognition of unpaid work performed by women as mothers and caregivers.