PARLIAMENT | Malaysian women spend more than six hours a day on unpaid domestic and care work, shouldering a disproportionate burden that continues to keep many out of the workforce.

Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Lim Hui Ying said the work, largely involving childcare, elderly care and household responsibilities, has an estimated economic value of RM379 billion.

Citing Statistics Department (DOSM) findings, Lim (above) said women spend an average of six hours and seven minutes daily on such activities, compared with about four hours and 20 minutes for men.

This accounts for 25.5 percent of women's daily time, against 18.1 percent for men.