This paper critically examines the pervasive issue of unpaid labour through a gendered lens, focusing on its systemic normalization and deeply entrenched roots in patriarchal traditions. Primarily undertaken by women, unpaid labour includes caregiving, household maintenance, and community service—tasks essential to the functioning of society yet systematically excluded from economic valuations and policy recognition. Drawing on feminist economic theory, particularly the work of Marilyn Waring, the paper explores how unpaid work perpetuates gender inequality by limiting women's access to education, employment, and leadership roles. Cultural contexts, especially in South Asia, further entrench these roles, framing domestic work as a woman's natural duty. The discussion incorporates cross-cultural comparisons, highlighting how traditions, economic transformations, and evolving gender norms affect perceptions of labour equity. Additionally, the mental health ramifications of this invisible burden are analysed, revealing a gendered gap rooted in structural inequities and societal expectations. By exposing the fiction of the "head of household," the paper advocates for an equitable redistribution of unpaid work, challenging outdated norms and emphasizing the shared responsibility of dismantling patriarchal labour divisions. Recognising and valuing unpaid labour is crucial not only for women's empowerment but for redefining partnerships and societal well-being at large.