ISLAMABAD: A new report published by the World Health Organisation (WHO) has outlined how under-investment in health systems results in a vicious cycle of unpaid health and care work, lowering women’s participation in paid labour markets and hampering gender equality.

The report titled ‘Fair share for health and care: gender and the undervaluation of health and care work’ suggested investment in public health systems to reduce the burden of unpaid care work and improve the quality of healthcare services.

It stated women comprise 67 per cent of the paid global health and care workforce. However, in addition to this paid work, it has been estimated that women perform an estimated 76pc of all unpaid care activities.

The report highlighted that low pay and demanding working conditions are common in the health and care sector.

Devaluing care giving, which is work performed primarily by women, negatively impacts wages, working conditions, productivity and the economic footprint of the sector.

Published in Dawn, March 15th, 2024