Household tasks often feel like a never‑ending list, and many families assume the work is already split fairly. In reality, the balance is far from equal.
Data from UN Women reveals that women around the globe perform about three more hours of unpaid care work each day than men. This extra burden highlights a persistent division of labour where cooking, cleaning, and child‑care are still seen as "women's work." On the remote Indonesian island of Rote, the NGO ARUNGI launched a project to change this mindset. By working with community leaders like Mama Shilpa, the programme encourages men to share tasks such as washing dishes, sweeping floors, and even looking after children. The goal is a fair share of responsibilities, allowing women more time for work, hobbies, or simply a breather.
Across Europe, Croatia’s Status M runs the Superdads project. Workshops teach fathers to pull their weight by handling laundry, grocery shopping, and other chores traditionally done by mothers. Participants report that when dads step up, households feel more harmonious and gender equality improves. Both initiatives show that small changes in daily habits can reshape expectations and create happier homes.
Think about your own routine. Could a simple shift in who does the dishes or takes out the bins make a big difference for your family?
