Flemish family organisation reports women still shoulder most caregiving responsibilities
Women continue to take on the majority of caregiving, household and emotional support responsibilities within families, according to the Gezinsbond, the largest independent family organisation in Flanders and Brussels. The organisation highlighted the findings on Sunday in a statement marking International Women's Day.
Care gap in families
The unequal distribution of responsibilities is evident in the Gezinsbond’s Family Barometer, a survey of more than 1,000 Flemish families with children.
According to the survey, women, on average, take on a greater share of household tasks and caring duties for family members, relatives or friends. Notably, 22 per cent of men also admit that they do too little household work. As a result, women are often in a weaker economic position and may also be more vulnerable to the impact of pension reforms.
Gezinsbond describes the imbalance as a “care gap” within families.
Economic consequences
Taking on more caregiving responsibilities, whether by choice or necessity, also affects women’s participation in the labour market. According to the Family Barometer, 19 per cent of women are less active in the workforce due to these responsibilities, while 41 per cent work part-time. This often places women in a weaker economic position, the organisation cautions.
The Gezinsbond is therefore calling for greater recognition of the roles women play within families.
“This recognition is crucial in a society where the work that appears on a payslip is the most important factor,” says Tanja Nuelant, family policy secretary at the organisation.
Concerns about pension reform
The organisation also warns that the existing care gap could disproportionately affect women under pension reforms.
“Many women – including childminders and cooperating spouses – have built their lives according to the current rules. They can no longer catch up on this lost pension accrual,” Nuelant says.
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