Colchester's Archdeacon, the Venerable Annette Cooper, was among seven women clergy to visit rural India as part of a mission.

She shared the daily lives of families – whose income is less than £4 a day – cooking, cleaning and caring for children.

The delegation was tasked with examining how women were losing out because of widespread gender issues.

Annette said: “The visit was an amazing experience for me, staying with a poor, tribal family I was warmly welcomed as I shared in daily life where women work so hard in caring for their families without so many of the things we take for granted every day.”

The Archdeacon also visited three co-operative projects, where women receive training and gain employment.

Christian Aid figures show in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa more than 80 per cent of women work in vulnerable employment.

Worldwide, time spent by women on unpaid care work can be more than ten times that of men.