Women who are underpaid and unseen

A full-time job: Homemaker Azza Azrin Juri, 38, often juggles preparing meals while taking care of her children (from left) Arrazi Izziqri, three, Arruzain Izzul, nine, and Arreza Izzayne, five, at their home in Shah Alam. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star

PETALING JAYA: For many women, the decision to leave the workforce and become full-time homemakers is shaped less by choice and more by circumstances such as unaffordable childcare, inflexible working hours and low pay.

While the role is often dismissed as “not real work”, the women involved describe long hours of unpaid labour, emotional strain and a deep sense of invisibility.