Invisible Economies: The Untold Stories of Women Holding Up the World

The world’s economies are not only built in boardrooms and on balance sheets. They are stitched into every meal cooked, every child cared for, every item handcrafted and sold from roadside stalls. And while these contributions are real and indispensable, they often go unnoticed in GDP statistics and policy reports. This is the story of women in invisible economies—the hidden workforce that holds up communities, families, and nations.

Across continents and cultures, women perform labor that is essential, yet rarely compensated or acknowledged. From domestic workers in urban apartments to rural artisans weaving for local markets, from mothers managing multi-generational homes to nannies raising other people’s children—these women sustain not just households, but the economic stability of entire regions.

In India, over 90% of working women are employed in the informal sector, according to the Ministry of Labour. They run street food carts, sew garments from home, clean houses, and sell vegetables. Their incomes may be irregular and undocumented, but they are crucial in supporting families. These roles are typically excluded from formal economic indicators, yet without them, many urban centers would collapse under the weight of their own logistical needs.

Consider a domestic helper in Mumbai. She wakes before dawn, travels long distances via public transport, cooks and cleans for several households, then returns home to care for her own family. Her labor is not counted in national productivity figures, nor is she entitled to benefits like health insurance or paid leave. Yet her work enables others to function efficiently in formal jobs, contributing indirectly to corporate profits and national revenue.

In Kenya, women constitute nearly 70% of the informal labor force. They sell produce in local markets, operate matatus (minibuses), and care for children left behind by urban migrants. Often, they must balance these tasks with unpaid caregiving at home. These invisible economies are not marginal—they are foundational.

In Latin America, the story is similar. From Mexico City to Bogotá, women make up the majority of informal vendors and caretakers. Many have no contracts or legal protections, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation, eviction, or economic downturns. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these women faced some of the harshest job losses, despite being deemed “essential workers.”

Globally, unpaid care and domestic work—most of it done by women—represents around 9% of global GDP if monetized, according to the International Labour Organization. In countries like Japan, Argentina, and South Africa, the estimated value of unpaid labor is even higher than spending on formal social services. Yet it remains off the books.

What makes these contributions “invisible” is not just the lack of formal payment. It is the absence of recognition—by institutions, by governments, and often by society. Women’s unpaid labor is seen as duty, not productivity. This perception is rooted in long-standing gender norms that devalue care work and domestic responsibility as natural extensions of femininity rather than skills deserving compensation.

In addition to caregiving and housework, women also dominate several undervalued trades: garment stitching, food packaging, and agriculture. For instance, in Bangladesh’s massive textile sector, women perform most of the sewing and quality control work, often in difficult conditions. Yet their wages remain low, and job security is minimal.

In rural India and Sub-Saharan Africa, women farmers produce up to 80% of food, yet they own less than 20% of the land. Despite their expertise and effort, they often lack access to credit, technology, and market access. Their role is both central and peripheral—a paradox that defines much of the female economic experience.

Even in advanced economies, these invisible economies persist. In the United States, millions of women left the workforce during the pandemic to provide unpaid care at home. The consequences were profound: stalled careers, mental health strain, and increased economic dependency. This phenomenon, often referred to as the “shecession,” laid bare the fragile scaffolding of support that keeps working mothers afloat.

As countries rebuild post-COVID, recognizing and investing in these invisible economies is no longer optional. Policymakers must design social protection systems that include informal workers—such as universal healthcare, childcare support, paid family leave, and flexible work structures. Without this, women will continue to bear the brunt of economic shocks, often silently.

Some nations are making progress. In Uruguay, a national care system was introduced to redistribute caregiving responsibilities and create jobs in the formal care sector. In Rwanda, women’s cooperatives have helped informal workers access credit and government contracts. In Spain, efforts to formalize domestic work have led to pension access and legal protections for thousands.

But these are just beginnings. The road ahead requires not just economic reform, but cultural shifts. Media and educational institutions must challenge gendered assumptions about work. Employers need to respect and accommodate caregiving responsibilities. And civil society must elevate the narratives of women working in informal sectors, not as victims, but as active contributors to society.

At The Visionary Spark, we believe that true innovation comes not only from technology, but from how we reimagine value. Recognizing women in invisible economies is one of the most visionary acts a society can take. It means seeing worth where others see routine. It means investing in systems that empower rather than exploit.

You can support these women by buying directly from women-led cooperatives, supporting fair-trade initiatives, advocating for better labor laws, or simply acknowledging the women in your own life whose unpaid labor shapes your day.

If you are interested in how local economies are being redefined, consider reading our coverage on Visionary Voices in Sustainability and Women Redefining Business Leadership — both of which examine how inclusion transforms industries.

Invisible does not mean insignificant. In fact, the opposite is true.

To build equitable economies, we must first see them.