Family duties, childcare keep women from entering politics: study

Family obligations and childcare responsibilities continue to obstruct women's entry into political participation, according to findings from the Women's Voice Survey 2025/2026. The research highlights persistent structural barriers that limit female representation in the political sphere across South and Southeast Asia.

The study found that domestic responsibilities disproportionately fall on women, creating substantial obstacles to their engagement in political activities and candidacy. These commitments encompass childcare duties, household management, and elder care obligations that collectively consume time and resources critical for political involvement.

Beyond participation barriers, the survey identified cost of living as the issue with the most significant personal impact on women respondents. Economic pressures, including expenses for housing, food, transportation, and education, rank as the dominant concern shaping women's daily experiences and financial security across the region.

The findings underscore the interconnected nature of challenges facing women, where economic hardship compounds the practical difficulties of balancing family responsibilities with political engagement. Researchers suggest that addressing these systemic barriers is essential to expanding women's meaningful participation in political decision-making processes.