(a) whether the Government proposes to make it mandatory for men to share percentage of their income with their wives;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons there for;
(c) whether the Government has taken into account the consequences of the said proposal;and
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the modalities worked out or being worked out to give effect to the said proposal?
MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI KRISHNA TIRATH)
(a): No, Madam
(b) to (d): Nil
(e): Hon’ble Minister of State Women and Child Development, Smt. Krishna Tirath have taken keen interest in this issue given the fact that services rendered by women within the household ensures well-being of the people and contributes to human capital formation that promotes economic growth.
Understanding that efforts have been made by Ministry Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoS&PI) as they have conducted time use survey, on a pilot basis in 1998-99 that throw light on different socio-economic issues, particularly with respect to unpaid work undertaken by women, Smt. Tirath has already written to Shri Srikant Kumar Jena, Hon’ble Minister, Statistics and Program Implementation to mainstream time use surveys in the National Statistical System in India. The process will enable valuation of their work with recognition of their contribution to the economy also forming a basis for their entitlements.
A Consultation was organised on “Measurement and Valuation of Household Work undertaken by Women in India†on November 7, 2012, New Delhi. The said consultation was chaired by Hon’ble Minister Women and Child Development in which several experts including Prof. Indira Hirway and Prof. Jayati Ghosh were present along with representatives from Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation and Advisors from other partner ministries of the NMEW.
The deliberations focussed on the need for measurement and recognition of the work done by women within the household and following suggestions emerged:
# Redistribution of unpaid work done primarily by women within the household requires attention and positive steps
need to be taken
# Asset ownership for women need to be addressed
# Measurement and valuation of the work undertaken by women within the households is crucial and MoS&PI has a key role to play
# Ensuring equal opportunity for women to a life of dignity
As follow-up to this Consultation, a Task Force has been constituted to provide policy suggestions on the issues. The first meeting of the task force was held on December 7, 2012 at Hotel Janpath, New Delhi. The recommendation of the task force include:
i. Active collaboration between the Ministry of Women and Child Development and Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation towards measurement and recognition of work done by women. All India Time Use Survey needs to be conducted
at regular intervals.
ii. Addressing the issue of drudgery reduction for women engaged in household chores, especially related to water and sanitation, fuel wood, health and care facilities.
iii. Universalization of pension schemes.