UNPAID WORKS
OF WOMEN & CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOUNTED
VIJAY
GOEL INAUGURATES SEMINAR ON TIME USE STATISTICS
"There can be
a lot of debate on the methodology for valuation of unpaid activities
carried out by women and children. But, there is an urgent need
for in-depth study and research in this area". This was stated
by Shri Vijay Goel, Minister of State for Statistics and Programme
Implementation and PMO while inaugurating a two-day seminar on
Time Use Statistics.
Organised by the
Ministry of Statistic and Programme Implementation in collaboration
with the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), New
Delhi and the Centre for Development Alternatives, Ahmedabad,
the seminar is attended by International Labour Office (ILO),
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UNIFEM and the
representatives from Canada, Nepal and Sri Lanka. A large number
of national experts and non government organisations (NGOs) working
in this field are also participating.
The data of Time
Use Survey done in 1998-99 may possibly be used for improving
labour statistics besides national income statistics, the minister
told the gathering.
The unpaid work done
by women and children is an important but relatively obscure area
of the economy. There is a great need for improving the quality
of decision in the domain of women’s empowerment –the minister
observed. Shri Goel said that women, who constitute half of the
world’s population, are not treated at par with men in the aspects
of self-development. This, despite the consensus that their betterment
and well-being are crucial to the overall progress and prosperity
of the society.
The Constitution
of India grants equality to women. Sustained efforts have been
made to create an environment conducive to the amelioration of
women’s access to health care, education and employment. Measures
have been introduced to improve their participation in the political
process also at different levels. As a result, women are coming
forward to assume leading roles in various walks of life. However,
much remains to be done on these fronts.
There are enumerable
activities carried out in the household sector mainly by the women
that remain unpaid and not valuated although they make a significant
contribution towards national economy. To fill this gap in data
and to get Time Use Statistics, the Central Statistical Organisation
took up a pilot study on Time Use Survey during July, 1998 to
June, 1999 in about 18,600 households in the six States- Haryana,
Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Orissa and Meghalaya.
Shri Goel hoped that
the seminar will help in redefining the objective of the Time
Use Survey and elaborating a concrete programme of action for
the surveys to be taken up in the immediate future.
