Disparity in household chores shows need for more investment in girls: UNICEF

Girls worldwide collectively spend more than 550 million hours each day cooking, cleaning, taking care of younger siblings and performing other unpaid household chores. The finding comes in a UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) report, which shows how gender disparity in domestic work starts early. It reveals that girls aged five to 14, spend 40 per cent more time - or 160 million more hours each day - on household chores, compared to boys their age. Claudia Cappa, a Statistics Specialist at UNICEF, told Rosemary Musumba that the study shows the need for more investment in girls.

Improved data collection techniques key to solving gender issues

Improved data collection on issues girls face across the world, can provide a better understanding of their lives and help solve their problems, according to the UN Population Fund (UNFPA). The data can be used to further gender equality and empower women, a key focus of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs. On International Day of the Girl Child marked annually on October 11th, Priyanka Shankar spoke to UNFPA’s Satvika Chalasani. She began by asking her about the challenges adolescent girls face.

South Sudan “one of worst places” to be a girl child

South Sudan is one of the worst countries in the world to be a girl, according to a leading NGO. Save the Children says that 52 per cent of girls are married before the age of 18, and do not enjoy the same access to education as boys. Joseph Akech is a Policy and Advocacy Director with Save the Children, based in South Sudan. He spoke to Sebit William, and began by describing their latest campaign, “Every Last Child”.

Presenter: Matthew Wells

Production Assistant: Sandra Guy

Duration: 10’00″