Challenges and Consequences of Unpaid Work Distribution on Individuals, Families, and Society

Abstract

Purpose: To advance this agenda, interventions must be context-specific and grounded in evidence. Policy solutions such as affordable childcare, paid parental leave, flexible working arrangements, and public campaigns to shift social norms are essential but must be tailored to the sociocultural and economic realities of specific regions.

Methodology: In Machakos County, where traditional norms are resilient and infrastructure challenges persist, innovative approaches are needed to transform perceptions, redistribute responsibilities, and empower women economically and socially. Despite progress in gender equality across various areas, the burden of unpaid work continues to pose a major challenge in Machakos County, affecting women's empowerment, economic involvement, and overall health.

Findings: The ANOVA table 4 shows the overall model is statistically significant (p < .001). The F-statistic of 40.41 confirms that the model is a good fit and the results are not due to chance, meaning the demographic variables reliably predict how strongly a respondent perceives the negative consequences. The strong statistical significance confirms the robustness of the model and strengthens confidence in the validity of the findings. This suggests that demographic characteristics are not randomly associated with perceptions but systematically shape how individuals interpret and internalize the consequences of imbalanced unpaid work.

Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: This enhances the credibility of using demographic-sensitive approaches when designing future gender equity and household labor interventions. The data further revealed that the consequences of unpaid care work are extensive and multifaceted. Women who are overburdened with domestic duties suffer from physical exhaustion, emotional strain, time poverty, and relational conflict. These consequences extend into lost economic opportunities, eroded civic participation, and the transmission of rigid gender norms to children. The GEM’s impact, therefore, was not merely symbolic. It addressed tangible quality-of-life issues, particularly for women and girls who are typically the most affected. Post-intervention findings showed an increased awareness of these consequences among all genders, indicating a promising shift toward shared responsibility and empathy.