The “Ghar Se Shuru” घर से शुरू campaign by UNDP India is a powerful call to action urging families to share unpaid domestic work equally. It addresses the significant gender disparity in household responsibilities, where women spend on average 301 minutes daily on unpaid care, compared to just 98 minutes by men. This vast imbalance not only limits women’s opportunities outside the home but also perpetuates systemic gender inequality. By encouraging small, meaningful changes at home, the campaign seeks to foster broader social equality, inclusivity, and ultimately, a more equitable society.
This initiative portrays the home as the starting point for a larger movement against gender bias. It challenges traditional roles and norms that have long defined caregiving and household labor as exclusively women’s responsibilities. The campaign’s core message is that everyone—men, women, and children—can and should participate in creating an equal and empowering environment within their households. This shift, though seemingly small at the household level, has the power to drive transformative social change on a much broader scale.
(Image Credit: UNDP India)
The Heart of “Ghar Se Shuru”
At its core, the “Ghar Se Shuru” campaign highlights that gender equality must begin in the home. One of its strategic connections is with the global #16DaysOfActivism campaign, which combats gender-based violence. The campaign promotes shared responsibilities in caregiving and domestic tasks, not just as a matter of fairness, but as a fundamental step to prevent abuse and promote respect among family members. UNDP uses compelling stories, videos, and interactive social media content to inspire men to actively participate in caregiving roles and domestic work that have traditionally been seen as women’s duties.
The campaign focuses intently on the equitable distribution of unpaid work—a form of labor that is typically invisible and unrecognized in economic terms. Despite its critical role in sustaining families and communities, unpaid domestic work often goes unnoticed in policy and economic discussions. This burden falls disproportionately on women, restricting their ability to engage fully in education, employment, leadership opportunities, and personal growth. By shifting these norms within the home, “Ghar Se Shuru” opens up pathways toward economic independence and improved health outcomes for women and girls.
Inspiring Real-World Impact
The campaign’s impact is most palpable in real-life stories like that of Chameli, a woman from Odisha. Chameli’s rise to community leadership was possible because her family shared domestic duties, allowing her the freedom to engage in public life. This narrative embodies the campaign’s essence—showing that when domestic chores are shared, women have the space to lead and contribute to their communities in meaningful ways.
Across India, many families have accepted these values, demonstrating how small shifts in behavior lead to greater family well-being and dignity. Men stepping up to share chores and caregiving reduce women’s disproportionate burdens, promoting healthier and more respectful family dynamics. These positive shifts within families ripple outward, contributing to community development and fostering a culture of equality.
(Image Credit: UNDP India)
A Societal Imperative
The successes of “Ghar Se Shuru” highlight a crucial truth: achieving gender equality demands collective responsibility that begins with the family. The campaign provides a practical and relatable entry point to dismantle deep-seated social norms and attitudes towards gender roles in India.
By advocating for shared domestic responsibilities and emphasizing women’s time sovereignty—the right to control their time—this campaign challenges not only the unfair division of labor at home but also broader economic and social inequalities. It aligns with India’s national goals of inclusive economic growth, social justice, and sustainable development. The campaign’s message reinforces the urgent need for continued awareness, supportive policies, and cultural change to ensure that progress toward gender equality is sustained and expanded beyond individual households to society as a whole.
Logical Indian Take
The Logical Indian sees “Ghar Se Shuru” as a vital catalyst for dismantling gender inequalities rooted in homes. Unpaid domestic work, disproportionately borne by women, stifles progress. Media must amplify these stories, pushing for policy recognition of care work and men’s active involvement to unlock women’s potential.
Starting equality “ghar se” builds inclusive societies. The Logical Indian urges collaborative action—through awareness campaigns, flexible policies, and cultural shifts—for true gender parity and sustainable development across India.
