The “Wages for Housework” (WfH) campaign, marking its 50th anniversary this year, represents a powerful feminist movement that continues to resonate with today’s calls for gender equity and economic justice. Founded in 1972 by the International Feminist Collective at the International Feminist Conference in Padova, Italy, the WfH campaign challenged the economic system that devalues and disregards women’s unpaid domestic labor, advocating for a revolutionary perspective on feminism that is still relevant today.

Redefining Feminist Politics

The WfH campaign brought a novel approach to feminist politics by challenging the traditional male-dominated methods of political engagement. Organizers like Mariarosa Dalla Costa and Leopoldina Fortunati describe creating a new style of politics that was more joyful, inclusive and focused on breaking the isolation of women confined to domestic roles. The central demand of the campaign was radical: recognizing that the unpaid labor primarily performed by women—childcare, cooking, cleaning, and emotional support—was not just a natural or loving duty but a form of work that should be compensated.

This redefinition directly challenged the capitalist economic order and other strands of feminism that did not fully recognize the importance of unpaid labor. The campaign highlighted that all women were workers, and their homes were workplaces. This perspective allowed for a broader understanding of the feminist struggle, linking everyday domestic life with larger political and economic systems.

A Multifaceted Struggle

The WfH campaign addressed various issues affecting women, including the need for women’s shelters, sex worker rights, lesbian liberation, accessible childcare, reproductive autonomy, affordable housing, and public transportation. By framing unpaid domestic labor as work, the campaign connected these struggles to a broader fight against capitalist exploitation and patriarchy.

One significant aspect of the WfH perspective was its challenge to traditional feminist views, suggesting women’s liberation depended on their participation in the paid labor market. Instead, WfH argued that recognizing and compensating women for the unpaid work they were already doing was essential to achieving true liberation. This approach also critiqued the left’s narrow focus on wage labor, highlighting how women’s unpaid labor in the home had been largely ignored by both the radical left and the labor movement.

Internationalism and Intersectionality

The WfH campaign was inherently internationalist and intersectional, recognizing that women’s unpaid labor was a global issue. The campaign sought to build connections among women worldwide, acknowledging the diverse and intersecting oppressions faced by women based on race, class, and sexuality. Autonomous groups like International Black Women for Wages for Housework and Wages Due Lesbians were formed to address these specific intersections, advocating for the rights of Black and queer women within the broader feminist framework.

The campaign also emphasized solidarity among different feminist struggles, recognizing that while women’s experiences of oppression varied, their struggles were interconnected. This spirit of solidarity was a fundamental principle of the campaign, fostering a united front against patriarchy and capitalism.

Legacy and Relevance Today

While the WfH campaign did not achieve its literal goal of wages for housework, its broader impact on feminist consciousness and political activism was profound. The campaign helped shift the focus of feminism from individual advancement within the capitalist system to a more radical critique of the system itself. It called for a feminism that included all women and centered on collective resistance against oppression.

Today’s feminist movements can draw inspiration from the WfH campaign’s radical vision and commitment to intersectionality. The ongoing struggles for economic justice, reproductive rights, and recognition of unpaid labor continue to reflect the campaign’s influence. Groups like the Global Women’s Strike and the Women’s Strike Assembly are examples of contemporary efforts that carry forward the WfH legacy, advocating for systemic change and recognizing all forms of labor.

An Invitation to Renew Feminist Politics

On its 50th anniversary, the WfH campaign reminds us that feminist politics must be rooted in a radical critique of capitalism and patriarchy. The campaign’s call to recognize and value women’s labor is as relevant today as it was in the 1970s. As the campaign organizers and contemporary activists emphasize, this is an invitation to re-engage with feminist politics in a way that centers care, collective action, and a commitment to justice for all women.

In this spirit, the WfH campaign challenges us to imagine a world where caring labor is valued, women’s contributions are recognized, and the foundations of oppression are dismantled, paving the way for a more equitable and just society.