This text explores the topical issue of the gender divide of welfare. A common characteristic of welfare states of the OECD countries is a profound gender division of paid and unpaid work and care. This affects womens position in the family, the labour market and their access to social citizenship. The discussion about the interrelationship between the welfare state, market and family and its impact on womens economic, social and political (in)dependence in the modern western welfare societies is also examined.