Teen girls are burdened with household chores that’s keeping them away from schools

A new study conducted by Educate Girls, a non-profit organisation, reveals that the pandemic has had a deep impact on India’s adolescent girls. Not only has increased poverty taken them away from schools, they are also subjected to increased pressure of early marriage and household chores.

After the pandemic, the number of hours spent on household chores for adolescent girls has increased by more than one hour a day. It now averages at over 3.5 hours per day.

“The pandemic has affected both boys and girls, but the most acute effect has been felt by adolescent girls aged 15-18 years,” the study said.

It has also taken them further away from schools and their peers, something that has also been aggravated by a dramatic loss of income in many households.

"The findings of the study are clear - the barriers to girls' education are greater than ever before and we need to fight greater odds to ensure these girls go to school, don't drop out, and continue learning. The impact is most acute for adolescent girls. The study also highlights the stories of girls and the long-term effect the pandemic has left on their lives," says Safeena Husain, founder and board member, Educate Girls.

The study was conducted between November and December 2021 in rural parts of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. It received responses from 3,200 girls and boys aged between 5-18 years.
Waking up early to do chores

School closures have taken away the ability of young girls to interact with peers. The proportion of adolescent girls not attending school (23%) was nearly double that of adolescent boys not attending school.

Moreso, those who went back also continue to be burdened with increased household work – forcing them to find a balance between school and house work.

“During discussions, mothers mentioned that girls are waking up earlier to complete their household tasks before school and even after. Boys on the other hand, only help when they feel like it and mothers cannot always rely on them to help out,” the report said.

Three out of four adolescent girls will continue to carry the burden of household chores even when schools reopen.