The report highlights the massive injustice suffered by working women in developing countries and shows how the global economic system relies on women’s paid and unpaid work. In economic terms, ActionAid estimates that in developing countries cost to women of inequalities in pay and access to jobs is a staggering US$9 trillion each year.
All over the world, women¹s work contributes to growth, development, and indeed reproduction of the workforce. Yet by virtually every measure women remain more economically excluded than men. Women¹s work is undervalued and for the most part invisible.
This is first and foremost a scandalous violation of the rights of millions of women. But gender inequality in work not only has consequences for women; the functioning of the economy relies on women’s work. Women’s labor in and outside the home is vital to sustainable development, and for the wellbeing of society.
The report calls on governments, international institutions and businesses to take action to create the conditions that are needed to give women in developing countries the chances that they deserve in and at work. Steps include ensuring that women can access safe, decent work opportunities and the essential caring work they do is recognized, shared and better supported.
