Ridiculous New Gender Equity Policy Institute Report Finds ‘Gender Inequality’ Burdens Women – California Globe

Report on Gender Disparities in California and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: The Gender Equity Policy Institute (GEPI) Analysis

A report by the Gender Equity Policy Institute (GEPI) presents an analysis of time use in California, highlighting significant disparities between men and women in paid work, unpaid labor, and leisure time. These findings directly correlate with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). The report posits that an imbalance in the division of unpaid domestic and care work is a primary driver of these disparities, creating systemic barriers to achieving gender equality and sustainable development.

Core Findings on Unpaid Labor and the Free-Time Gender Gap

The GEPI analysis, based on American Time Use Survey (ATUS) data, quantifies the extent of gender disparities in California. The findings underscore the challenge of meeting SDG 5, Target 5.4, which calls for the recognition and valuation of unpaid care and domestic work.

Key Statistical Disparities

• Unpaid Childcare: Women in California spend twice as much time as men on childcare responsibilities.
• Total Workload: When paid employment is combined with unpaid household and childcare work, women in California work significantly more hours per week than men. This unequal burden directly impacts progress towards SDG 8 by creating hidden work that is not economically valued.
• Parental Disparity: Mothers perform nearly double the hours of unpaid work compared to fathers, equivalent to a full-time, unpaid position.
• Free-Time Deficit: Mothers in California have 41% less free time than fathers. This “free-time gender gap” has profound implications for women’s health and well-being, a core component of SDG 3.

Implications for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 5: Gender Equality

The report’s central theme is the unequal distribution of unpaid labor, a critical barrier to achieving gender equality. The findings illustrate a failure to meet SDG Target 5.4 by demonstrating that unpaid domestic work is disproportionately borne by women. This imbalance perpetuates traditional gender norms and limits women’s opportunities for economic participation, political engagement, and personal development.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being & SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The documented lack of free time and increased overall workload for women contribute to burnout and stress, negatively impacting physical and mental health (SDG 3). Furthermore, the substantial time dedicated to unpaid labor can restrict women’s ability to pursue career advancement, education, and full participation in the formal economy, thereby hindering the achievement of decent work and economic growth for all (SDG 8).

Institutional Mission and Strategic Alignment

Gender Equity Policy Institute (GEPI) Mandate

GEPI is a nonprofit organization with a stated mission to “rebalance systems, guarantee equal benefits and opportunities, and secure a just and sustainable future for all people.” This mission is in direct alignment with the principles of the SDGs, particularly SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality). The institute utilizes data-driven research to advocate for policies that address systemic inequities.

Target Demographics

The institute’s work serves a broad and inclusive population, reflecting the cross-cutting nature of the SDGs. The target groups include:

1. General population
2. Academics
3. Pregnant people
4. People with disabilities
5. Justice-involved people
6. Economically disadvantaged people
7. Diverse gender identities and sexual orientations

This focus ensures that policy recommendations are intersectional and contribute to the overarching SDG principle of “leaving no one behind.” The report’s findings on unpaid work in California serve as a case study for the broader, systemic changes needed to advance a sustainable and equitable future.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article primarily discusses issues related to gender inequality in the division of labor, which connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The most relevant SDGs are:

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  This is the most central SDG to the article. The entire piece revolves around the Gender Equity Policy Institute (GEPI) report, which highlights the “imbalance in the division of unpaid labor in the home” between men and women in California. The report’s findings on the “free-time gender gap” and women doing more unpaid work directly address the core mission of achieving gender equality.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The article discusses the total workload of women by combining “paid employment” with “unpaid childcare and household work.” This unequal distribution of unpaid labor can act as a significant barrier to women’s full participation in the formal economy, affecting their career progression, earnings, and overall economic empowerment, which are key aspects of SDG 8.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article explicitly mentions that “California women are burned out” and that there is a “New York Times article on women having less free time to exercise than men.” These points directly connect the issue of unequal labor distribution to negative health outcomes, including mental stress (burnout) and physical health risks associated with a lack of exercise, which are concerns addressed by SDG 3.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the issues discussed, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

• Target 5.4: Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure and social protection policies and the promotion of shared responsibility within the household and the family as nationally appropriate.

  The article’s core focus is on the unequal burden of unpaid work. The GEPI report’s claim that there is an “imbalance in the division of unpaid labor in the home” and that mothers’ unpaid work is the “equivalent of a full-time job” directly relates to the need to recognize, value, and promote shared responsibility for this work, as outlined in Target 5.4.

• Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.

  The article implies that the heavy burden of unpaid work on women affects their participation in paid employment. The statement that “women in California work significantly more hours per week than men” when paid and unpaid labor are combined suggests a barrier to achieving full and productive employment on equal terms. This excessive “second shift” can limit women’s opportunities in the formal workforce, connecting the issue to Target 8.5.

• Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.

  The article’s mention of women being “burned out” and having “less free time to exercise” directly links the gender gap in unpaid labor to well-being. Burnout is a significant mental health concern, and lack of exercise is a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases. Therefore, addressing this time disparity is relevant to promoting mental and physical well-being as per Target 3.4.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions and implies several indicators, primarily related to SDG Target 5.4.

• Indicator 5.4.1: Proportion of time spent on unpaid domestic and care work, by sex, age and location.

  This indicator is directly and extensively referenced through the findings of the GEPI report. The article provides specific data points that measure the time spent on unpaid work, broken down by gender:

  • “California women spend twice as much time as men taking care of children.”
  • “Mothers put in nearly double the hours fathers do.”
  • “Even on workdays, women end up doing an extra hour of housework and childcare above and beyond what men do.”
  • The existence of a “free-time gender gap,” with California mothers having “41% less free time” than fathers.

  The article also notes that the report’s analysis is based on the American Time Use Survey (ATUS), which is the primary data source for measuring this specific indicator.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

Source: californiaglobe.com