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Reframing the Measurement of Women’s Work in the Sub-Saharan African Context

Author

Listed:
  • Jocelyn E Finlay

    (Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, USA)

  • Yvette Efevbera

    (Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, USA)

  • Jacques Ndikubagenzi

    (University of Burundi, Burundi)

  • Mahesh Karra

    (Frederick S Pardee School of Global Studies, USA)

  • David Canning

    (Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, USA)

Abstract

This research note considers how we measure women’s work in the sub-Saharan African (SSA) context. Drawing on qualitative work conducted in Burundi, the note examines how existing measures of women’s work do not accurately capture the intensity and type of work women in SSA undertake. Transcripts from qualitative interviews suggest that women think of work to meet their roles and responsibilities within the household. The women in the interviews do not frame work as a career or a primary activity in a time-use allocation. As a result, researchers need to nest questions regarding women’s work within surveys that ask about roles and responsibilities within the household, and about how women meet these responsibilities with a financial component.

Suggested Citation

  • Jocelyn E Finlay & Yvette Efevbera & Jacques Ndikubagenzi & Mahesh Karra & David Canning, 2019. "Reframing the Measurement of Women’s Work in the Sub-Saharan African Context," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 33(3), pages 518-528, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:woemps:v:33:y:2019:i:3:p:518-528
    DOI: 10.1177/0950017018774245
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nancy Folbre, 2006. "Measuring Care: Gender, Empowerment, and the Care Economy," Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 7(2), pages 183-199.
    2. Jorge M. Agüero & Mindy S. Marks, 2011. "Motherhood and Female Labor Supply in the Developing World: Evidence from Infertility Shocks," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 46(4), pages 800-826.
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