The term ‘triple shift’ encompasses three aspects: reproductive work such as child care and rearing, productive work such as working for an income in either the formal or informal sector, and community work. This concept has always existed, but became more pervasive with the transition to remote working. Overnight, many women had to take on additional roles.

“When it comes to unpacking issues related to the uneven distribution of women’s work in households, society and the formal and informal economy alike, the multi-faceted nature of the issue can be viewed as either a problem or a challenge that offers us an opportunity to rethink and strategise in creative ways,” says White-Ndlovu.