India, June 19 -- As India seeks faster growth and a more inclusive development model, the care economy can no longer remain in the shadows. Recognising care as a form of economic infrastructure rather than a private household responsibility is not merely a question of social justice - it is a policy imperative for the country's future

In all cities and towns in India, an unseen economy operates behind the markets and formal workplaces: the economy of care. Nearly three times more than men's 97 minutes (NSSO), women spend 299 minutes per day on unpaid care work. This encompasses paid domestic work, elder care, childcare, and unpaid domestic labour within households, which helps millions of households to operate. However, despite contribu...