Kerala, renowned for its strides in human development indices, often takes pride in its achievements in education, healthcare, and social welfare. However, an aspect remains largely overlooked—the care economy. In the bustling landscape of economic discussions, the significance of care work, predominantly undertaken by women, is often sidelined. It's high time we acknowledge and uplift this crucial sector.
The care economy encompasses a wide array of unpaid and paid activities, including childcare, elderly care, and domestic work. In Kerala, where familial bonds are strong and community support is ingrained, much of this labour is absorbed within households, often unnoticed and undervalued. Yet, it forms the backbone of society, enabling other economic activities to flourish.
Kerala's elderly population is experiencing a faster rate of ageing compared to the rest of the country. According to the Kerala Ageing Survey (KAS) of 2013, an estimated 4.2 million individuals are aged 60 and above in Kerala. Notably, the elderly demographic in Kerala is growing at a rate of 2.3 per cent, in stark contrast to the general population growth rate of 0.5 per cent. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) under the Government of India indicates that Kerala's old age dependency ratio stands at 19.6 per cent, surpassing the national average of 14.2 per cent.
Furthermore, there exists a gendered perspective regarding the increasing elderly population in Kerala, with the majority being women. According to the Kerala Migration Survey (KMS) 2018, 13.7 per cent of individuals above the age of 60 are female, whereas 12.2 per cent are male. Moreover, within the 80-plus age category, 42 per cent of females are widowed, while only 8 per cent of males are widowed. This significant disparity underscores the necessity of establishing a care economy tailored to meet the growing needs of Kerala's elderly demographic.
The KMS 2018 estimates that Kerala is home to approximately 2.1 million emigrants. While the state has benefited from migration, it is crucial to address the welfare of those who remain behind, including children, women, and the elderly. Dr S. Irudaya Rajan, Chair of the International Institute of Migration and Development (IIMAD), estimates that around two million children and four million elderly individuals are left behind in Kerala as a result of migration.
The impact of parental migration on children left behind is profound, as they grapple with the absence of one or both parents. A study conducted by John Soyuz, and Dhanasekara R. Pandian, delved into the behavioural patterns of these children. They analysed case records from a specialised child guidance clinic in Malappuram. Their findings indicated that "Left-behind children of Gulf migrants are vulnerable to developing behavioural problems, mental health disorders, and substance abuse."
In households where husbands have migrated, women often assume the role of primary caregivers. However, this transition can be overwhelming, particularly when managing multiple responsibilities, including caring for elderly family members. In such situations, women are tasked with the dual role of caregiving, which can pose significant challenges and strains on their well-being. The resulting “Time Poverty” is an obstacle to women’s human rights, health and sustainable development.
According to rough estimates from the KMS 2018, there are approximately 0.12 million domestic workers in Kerala, with 93 per cent of them being female. Issues such as low wages, limited access to healthcare, lack of bargaining power, workplace violence, and occupational safety concerns persistently affect domestic workers in the state. It is imperative for the state to acknowledge domestic workers as caregivers and integrate them into the social security framework.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the care economy into sharper focus. With lockdowns and restrictions disrupting normalcy, the burden of care escalated, disproportionately affecting women. From juggling remote work while managing household chores to shouldering increased caregiving responsibilities, women bore the brunt of the crisis. The pandemic laid bare the inherent inequalities within the care economy and emphasised the urgent need for change.
Recognising the value of care work is not just a moral imperative but also an economic necessity. Investing in the care economy yields manifold benefits, from enhancing social well-being to driving economic growth. Research, particularly those conducted by Nobel Laureate economist James Heckman, unequivocally demonstrates that each dollar invested in early childhood care and education yields substantial returns in terms of future productivity and decreased social costs.
Kerala has already taken commendable steps towards recognising the importance of care work. Initiatives such as the Kudumbashree Mission, which empowers women through self-help groups and community-driven development projects, serve as shining examples. However, more concerted efforts are needed to mainstream care policies into the state's economic agenda.
Firstly, there's a need for comprehensive data collection and analysis to understand the dynamics of the care economy better. This will help formulate evidence-based policies tailored to the specific needs of caregivers.
Secondly, concerted efforts should be taken to reduce the gender disparities prevalent within the care sector. This entails promoting women's participation in the workforce, providing support structures such as affordable childcare facilities, and ensuring fair wages for care workers.
Thirdly, public investment in social infrastructure such as healthcare, education, and eldercare services is quintessential. Strengthening these essential services not only improves the quality of life but also creates employment opportunities and stimulates economic growth.
Lastly, fostering a cultural shift in societal attitudes towards care work is crucial. By challenging traditional gender roles and stereotypes, we can create a more equitable and inclusive society where caregiving is valued and respected.
Beyond the pragmatic considerations lies a deeply theoretical underpinning that positions the care economy as central to understanding the dynamics of contemporary socioeconomic structures. The feminist economic framework elucidates the intrinsic value of care work, arguing that it should be recognised not as peripheral but as fundamental to the functioning of the entire economy. Care work, often relegated to the private sphere and disproportionately shouldered by women, challenges traditional economic paradigms that prioritise market transactions over non-market activities.
By incorporating insights from modern feminist theory, we can appreciate the care economy as a site of essential, albeit invisible, labour that sustains both the formal economy and social reproduction. This perspective demands a reconfiguration of economic policies to reflect the true value of care work, advocating for structural changes that promote gender equity, redistribute care responsibilities, and integrate care work into the broader economic discourse. Through this lens, the recognition and support of the care economy in Kerala becomes not just a matter of social justice, but a necessary step towards a more inclusive and resilient economic model that acknowledges and compensates all forms of labour equitably.
In conclusion, Kerala's journey towards sustainable development must include a robust framework for nurturing the care economy. By prioritising care policies and investing in the well-being of caregivers, we can build a more resilient and equitable society for generations to come. It's time to recognise that caring is not just a labour of love but also a cornerstone of the political economy.
About the authors: Amal Chandra is the author of the book "The Essential" - On Healthcare (2023), a policy analyst and commentator. He currently serves the Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council (K-DISC) under the Government of Kerala, where he contributes his expertise to developing Kerala’s economy.
Ajay P. Karuvally is a Research Fellow at The International Institute of Migration and Development (IIMAD).
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK
