Women as unpaid family workers, their health risks and problems

Abstract

Turkey has one of the highest numbers of "unpaid family workers"(UFW) among women. This study aimed that to determine the health problems and risks works as an UFW. Economic, social and cultural causes have been undermining the women's status in the society and these before mentioned causes make women dependent. In addition to their biological burden, women are also exposed to diversified amount of health risks with the effects of their gender role in the society. This study determined that, being an UFW might increase the risk of psychosocial, chemical, physical, biological, ergonomic exposure among women and poor working conditions might cause additional health problems in physiological periods such as pregnancy and senescence; it might increase the risk of pathological exposures such as violence and harassment. This predicament blocks the health services accessing. It is possible to say the increased disease burden; unfulfilled health services needs and demands addition to the unsecured and unhealthy working conditions of the women as an UFW. Women have been experiencing a waste range of risk factors and falling ill as UFW. These women are unaware of these dangers and the ones around them are oblivious to these risks. In order to make the woman labor visible and perpetual, there must be made regulations and social educational studies. Being an UFW must be predefined as a line of business by the legal regulations and these women must benefit from all the rights and assurances in the working life.