The Unspoken Hardships: Impact of Domestic Violence against Women on Daily Work-Life Balance in India

This study investigates the influence of domestic violence on women's work-life balance in India, with a focus on time allocation between work and lifestyle activities. The impacts of spousal, physical, and sexual abuse on women's participation in work-related and personal activities are examined using data from the 2019 Time Use Survey and the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5). Using an Ordinary Least Squares regression model, the study examines the relationship between domestic abuse and changes in time spent on employment, household tasks, caregiving, learning, and leisure. The results show a notable gender gap in work-life balance, with women devoting a disproportionate amount of time to caregiving and unpaid domestic services, which restricts their ability to participate in the laborforce. While physical abuse during pregnancy paradoxically enhances workforce involvement, spousal violence is substantially linked to lower work engagement, suggesting economic coercion rather than empowerment. According to these findings, certain policy initiatives such as financial assistance for women who have been abused, labor regulations that take gender equality into account, and awareness programs that encourage shared household duties suggested to be implemented. JEL Code: J16, J22, J12