Measuring health of the home makers in Kerala

Abstract

Kerala, one of the southern states of India is well known for its remarkable achievements in the field of health. State’s infant mortality Rate (IMR) is 12 against an IMR of 178 in the country. Maternal mortality rate of Kerala is 66 per lakh while national rate is 178 per lakh [1]. Female literacy (90%) is attributed as one of the major determinant of this achievement. But it is enigmatic to observe that the female work participation in the paid work force is as low as 28% [2]. But their contribution to the productive and reproductive sphere of social life is recognized in recent times. Majority of women who undertook the role of wives and mothers in the past, counted themselves as housewives considered the work done as their dutiesnot counting the value of their never ending toil to maintain the integrity of family. Value of their work was not accounted because it did not have exchange value. Consistent persuasion of women’s organizations resulted in counting house wives as contributors to the economy of nation. Now they are recognized as “home makers” which mean that their contribution got valued at least in the conceptual level. But they have yet to be compensated in daily life for their contribution. Gender division of labor and stereotyping prevail in all social relations both in private life and public sphere. Studies show that 80% of domestic work is performed by the home makers/ housewives [3].