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Governments - and fathers - have big roles to play in achieving a better work-life balance that helps win gender equality. That was a key message to a meeting of the UNI Women’s world committee in Nyon, Switzerland on 10-11 April.

Too often, members were told, family responsibilities fall on women - unpaid work that is rarely measured and not counted in the wealth statistics (GDP) of nations. And if they get paid work too then they still have to do most of the domestic work and caring.

UNI women from Africa

In Ghana statistics show that when women have paid work - and women with children around the world are less likely to be in a paid job - women average 46.3 hours a week on paid work plus another 42.4 hours of unpaid work. That’s a total of 88.7 hours a week while for men the equivalent figures are 47.9 hours in paid employment but only 9.1 hours on unpaid work - a total of 57.6 hours.

“It’s important that men and women share unpaid work,” Naomi Cassirer from the International Labour Organisation told the meeting. “But it’s as important - if not more important - that we ask the State to do more and step up to their responsibilities.” In many countries governments have been shrinking thoseresponsibilities and cutting public services. In many developing countries basic essentials are lacking - with women spending hours each day gathering fuel and water or walking long distances to work. The impact of HIV/AIDS and ageing populations increase caring responsibilities. Paid childcare is often beyond the means of many of the world’s working women leaving very difficult choices. “Nobody should have to leave a four year old at home alone because they have to go and earn some income,” said Naomi.

ILO's Laura Andatti and Naomi Cassirer with UNI Women's Monique Marti

“Unpaid work is done by more women than men, more poor than non-poor and more rural than urban,” said her ILO colleague Laura Andatti. “We cannot guarantee equal opportunities if women alone are responsible for unpaid work.”

She urged government policies that provide childcare and family services, maternity protection, leave and working time policies, harmonising school and working hours, promoting gender equality and investing in infrastructure and services.

“What we have found around the world is a shortage of public services for children between birth and primary education,” said Laura.

She urged social dialogue involving unions and employers to implement ILO Conventions that already cover workers with family responsibilities, maternity protection and working hours and equal pay.

Unions can help in supporting women to claim their rights and providing direct support to workers with family responsibilities. “There are examples around the world of making unions more family friendly places,” said Laura.

UNI Women's world committee