Impact of COVID-19 on women working in the domestic sector in Hyderabad

The recently extended lockdown in India, now in force until 3 May, is a necessary measure to slow the spread of COVID-19 and thereby save lives. India’s large population and the capacity of the health sector in the country to handle the pandemic means slowing the spread of infection is essential. But the impacts of the lockdown are not gender-neutral. Women are more vulnerable from both a health and economic perspective. Here, Padmaja Ravula from Flagship Projects 1 and 6 shares her insights into the impact of the lockdown on women who work as domestic help or in part-time occupations in urban and peri-urban Hyderabad.

Most of the women living in Hyderabad’s slums work as domestic help in the many apartment complexes and independent bungalows. These women get a monthly salary for their services ranging from Rs 3000-6000 (£31.50-63.00) per household per month, depending on the kind of work they do. Each woman on average works in three to four households. As well as their salary, they also receive payments in kind either as cooked food, vegetables and other essential items.