Counting what counts: Valuing women’s unpaid work in Bangladesh’s GDP
Bangladesh’s move to value unpaid household labour shines a light on the hidden backbone of the economy. The challenge now is ensuring this recognition sparks real policy and cultural change, not just statistical adjustments
As Bangladesh begins to acknowledge the staggering contributions of women's unpaid household work, which accounts for nearly one-fifth of the GDP, one question remains: Are we actually valuing this contribution, or simply adding numbers while leaving the burden unchanged?
Consider a typical middle-class household: when guests arrive, men may sit in the living room socialising comfortably. At the same time, the woman works tirelessly in the kitchen to prepare meals and refreshments for the guests. When the guests leave, it is her duty to wrap up and do the dishes.
After a full day at the office, both husband and wife return home, and it becomes the woman's responsibility to cook dinner, clean the house, pack lunches for the next day, do the family's laundry, and manage childcare or eldercare duties.
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These daily routines, cooking, cleaning, caregiving, tutoring, and managing households, are repeated endlessly, forming a massive contribution to family and society, yet in economic terms, they have long gone unrecognised and uncompensated.
The sheer volume of this work is immense. According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), women's unpaid household labour is valued at approximately Tk5.7 trillion, which could increase the national GDP by at least 13.57%. This revelation is both groundbreaking and unsettling.
Groundbreaking, because it finally acknowledges the invisible backbone of our economy. Unsettling, because monetising this labour without addressing the inequalities behind it risks reinforcing the very burdens women have silently carried for generations.
The issue is not simply one of economic measurement. By recognising unpaid household work in GDP, we risk creating a paradox: women who already juggle professional careers alongside domestic duties will see their invisible labour acknowledged, but not alleviated. Instead of empowering women, such recognition might unintentionally normalise the expectation that they must excel both in office spaces and in kitchens; an unsustainable double load.
True equality lies not in counting every task, but in redistributing responsibility. Household work must be seen as shared work. Men, too, should contribute to cooking, caregiving, and cleaning, rather than perceiving these as natural extensions of women's roles.
Equality is not about mirroring men in every sphere, but about ensuring that when it comes to cerebral opportunities, education, innovation, and leadership, women have the freedom to choose, unburdened by the disproportionate weight of domestic expectations.
Several countries offer valuable models. Mexico has implemented an "Unpaid Household Work Satellite Account" to evaluate the economic value of domestic labour. Canada and South Africa have used similar accounts to guide gender-responsive policies without commodifying care. India estimates that unpaid labour contributes up to 36% of GDP. These examples show it is possible to make invisible work visible and inform policy effectively.
Recognition must go beyond numbers. Valuing women's unpaid work requires redistribution of responsibilities, investment in care infrastructure, and supportive policies. When women are supported, productivity rises, children benefit, and the economy grows more sustainably.
Cultural change is equally important. Societies that fail to value care work implicitly devalue women. Recognising households, communities, and care structures as essential parts of the economy is central to true development.
As Bangladesh pursues Vision 2041 and aims for high-income status, ignoring unpaid work is no longer acceptable. Women's labour is the backbone of our economy. Development metrics, policy frameworks, and societal recognition must reflect the full spectrum of economic activity, including the invisible, unpaid work women perform every day.
GDP without women's unpaid labour is like accounting with one eye closed; it misses the contributions that sustain society. For real progress, the country must ensure that its policies and recognition fully encompass this indispensable work.
Zaima Choudhury is a young development professional.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of The Business Standard.
