An elderly couple from the Chinese Hui minorities do their housework at a migrant village Hongsibao in Wuzhong, China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region June 22, 2006. REUTERS/Jason Lee (CHINA) 

Brazilian women shout slogans during a protest against housework at a rally held in conjunction with International Women's Day in front of Planalto Palace in Brasilia, March 8, 2006. REUTERS/Jamil Bittar 

Brazilian women shout slogans during a protest against housework at a rally held in conjunction with International Women's Day in front of Planalto Palace in Brasilia, March 8, 2006. REUTERS/Jamil Bittar 

Local residents with mental disabilities attend an English class organized by the Laoximen Neighbourhood community in Shanghai as a parent looks on from outside the classroom in Shanghai December 29, 2005. The Laoximen neighbourhood community joined a city-wide project "Home of Sunshine" for training local residents with mental disabilities. All these 30 students are members of "Home of Sunshine." [Laoximen neighbourhood is the city's first to have implemented the project with 55 students aging from 16 to 35 visiting the Community's Youth Centre everyday where classes and activities are designed for them. Classes include Chinese, math, English, music, drawing, knitting and basic housework skills. The five teachers at the centre also organize daily sports activities such as rope jumping and ball games, Shanghai Daily reported.]
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Cheng Juzheng (R), a volunteer with the Laoximen Neighborhood community, teaches local residents with mental disabilities knitting skills in Shanghai December 29, 2005. The Laoximen neighbourhood community joined a city-wide project "Home of Sunshine" for training local residents with mental disabilities. All these 30 students are members of "Home of Sunshine." [Laoximen neighbourhood is the city's first to have implemented the project with 55 students aging from 16 to 35 visiting the Community's Youth Centre everyday where classes and activities are designed for them. Classes include Chinese, math, English, music, drawing, knitting and basic housework skills. The five teachers at the centre also organize daily sports activities such as rope jumping and ball games, Shanghai Daily reported.] ?? OUT 

Wang Qi (C) and other students with mental disabilities attend an English class organized by the Laoximen Neighbourhood community in Shanghai December 29, 2005. The Laoximen neighbourhood community joined a city-wide project "Home of Sunshine" for training local residents with mental disabilities. All these 30 students are members of "Home of Sunshine." [Laoximen neighbourhood is the city's first to have implemented the project with 55 students aging from 16 to 35 visiting the Community's Youth Centre everyday where classes and activities are designed for them. Classes include Chinese, math, English, music, drawing, knitting and basic housework skills. The five teachers at the centre also organize daily sports activities such as rope jumping and ball games, Shanghai Daily reported.] ?? OUT 

Princess Sayako speaks to reporters at a news conference following her wedding ceremony at a Tokyo hotel November 15, 2005. Princess Sayako, 36, the only daughter of [Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, married urban planner Yoshiki Kuroda, 40, and bade farewell to her life as a privileged princess. The marriage means she will relinquish her title, swap the grandeur of the Imperial Palace for an ordinary apartment, and trade official duties for housework and the supermarket run.] 

Princess Sayako (R) and Yoshiyuki Kuroda smile during a news conference following their wedding ceremony at a Tokyo hotel November 15, 2005. Princess Sayako, 36, the only [daughter of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, married urban planner Kuroda, 40, thus bidding farewell to her life as a privileged princess. The marriage means she will relinquish her title, swap the grandeur of the Imperial Palace for an ordinary apartment, and trade official duties for housework and the supermarket run.] 

Japanese Empress Michiko leaves the Imperial Palace en route to a downtown hotel in Tokyo for the [wedding of her daughter Princess Sayako and commoner Yoshiki Kuroda] November 15, 2005. [Sayako, 36, the only daughter of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, will marry urban planner Kuroda, 40, thus bidding farewell to her life as a privileged princess. The marriage means she will relinquish her title, swap the grandeur of the Imperial Palace for an ordinary apartment, and trade official duties for housework and the supermarket run.] 

Princess Sayako (R) bows as she lets her husband Yoshiki Kuroda leave a news conference following their wedding ceremony at a Tokyo hotel November 15, 2005. Princess Sayako, 36, the only daughter of [Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, married urban planner Kuroda, 40, thus bidding farewell to her life as a privileged princess. The marriage means she will relinquish her title, swap the grandeur of the Imperial Palace for an ordinary apartment, and trade official duties for housework and the supermarket run.] 

Princess Sayako (R) bows as she lets her husband Yoshiki Kuroda leave a news conference following their wedding ceremony at a Tokyo hotel November 15, 2005. Princess Sayako, 36, the only daughter of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, married urban planner Kuroda, 40, thus bidding farewell to her life as a privileged princess. The marriage means she will relinquish her title, swap the grandeur of the Imperial Palace for an ordinary apartment, and trade official duties for housework and the supermarket run. REUTERS/Shizuo Kambayashi/Pool 

Princess Sayako, the newlywed bride of Yoshiyuki Kuroda (L), closes her eyes as they bow to reporters at a news conference following their wedding ceremony at a Tokyo hotel November 15, 2005. Princess Sayako, 36, the only daughter of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, married urban planner Kuroda, 40, and bade farewell to her life as a privileged princess. The marriage means she will relinquish her title, swap the grandeur of the Imperial Palace for an ordinary apartment, and trade official duties for housework and the supermarket run. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Princess Sayako (R) and Yoshiyuki Kuroda smile during a news conference following their wedding ceremony at a Tokyo hotel November 15, 2005. Princess Sayako, 36, the only daughter of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, married urban planner Kuroda, 40, thus bidding farewell to her life as a privileged princess. The marriage means she will relinquish her title, swap the grandeur of the Imperial Palace for an ordinary apartment, and trade official duties for housework and the supermarket run. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Princess Sayako and her husband Yoshiki Kuroda answer questions during a news conference following their wedding ceremony at a Tokyo hotel November 15, 2005. Princess Sayako, 36, the only daughter of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, will marry urban planner Kuroda, 40, thus bidding farewell to her life as a privileged princess. The marriage means she will relinquish her title, swap the grandeur of the Imperial Palace for an ordinary apartment, and trade official duties for housework and the supermarket run. REUTERS/Shizuo Kambayashi/Pool 

Princess Sayako, the newlywed bride of Yoshiyuki Kuroda (L), smiles as the groom bows to reporters at a news conference following their wedding ceremony at a Tokyo hotel November 15, 2005. Princess Sayako, 36, the only daughter of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, married urban planner Kuroda, 40, and bade farewell to her life as a privileged princess. The marriage means she will relinquish her title, swap the grandeur of the Imperial Palace for an ordinary apartment, and trade official duties for housework and the supermarket run. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Yoshiki Kuroda smiles as he arrives at the Imperial Hotel for his wedding ceremony with Princess Sayako in Tokyo November 15, 2005. Sayako, 36, has chosen to marry the 40-year-old Tokyo urban planner, meaning she must give up her title, swap the grandeur of the Imperial Palace for an ordinary apartment, and trade official duties for housework and the supermarket run. Kuroda has said he is determined to help her adjust to her new life. REUTERS/Toshifumi Kitamura/Pool 

Princess Sayako speaks to reporters at a news conference following her wedding ceremony at a Tokyo hotel November 15, 2005. Princess Sayako, 36, the only daughter of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, married urban planner Yoshiki Kuroda, 40, and bade farewell to her life as a privileged princess. The marriage means she will relinquish her title, swap the grandeur of the Imperial Palace for an ordinary apartment, and trade official duties for housework and the supermarket run. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Princess Sayako (R) and Yoshiyuki Kuroda attend a news conference following their wedding ceremony at a Tokyo hotel November 15, 2005. Princess Sayako, 36, the only daughter of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, married urban planner Kuroda, 40, and bade farewell to her life as a privileged princess. The marriage means she will relinquish her title, swap the grandeur of the Imperial Palace for an ordinary apartment, and trade official duties for housework and the supermarket run. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Japan's Princess Sayako's motorcade starts from the Imperial Palace to her wedding with Yoshiki Kuroda in Tokyo November 15, 2005. Sayako, 36, the only daughter of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, will marry urban planner Kuroda, 40, thus bidding farewell to her life as a privileged princess. The marriage means she will relinquish her title, swap the grandeur of the Imperial Palace for an ordinary apartment, and trade official duties for housework and the supermarket run. REUTERS/Yuzuru Oshihara/Pool 

Japan's Princess Sayako's motorcade starts from the Imperial Palace to her wedding with Yoshiki Kuroda in Tokyo November 15, 2005. Sayako, 36, the only daughter of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, will marry urban planner Kuroda, 40, thus bidding farewell to her life as a privileged princess. The marriage means she will relinquish her title, swap the grandeur of the Imperial Palace for an ordinary apartment, and trade official duties for housework and the supermarket run. REUTERS/Yuzuru Oshihara/Pool 

Yoshiki Kuroda (L, in car) leaves for his wedding ceremony with Japan's Princess Sayako in Tokyo November 15, 2005. Sayako, 36, has chosen to marry the 40-year-old Tokyo town planner, meaning she must give up her title, swap the grandeur of the Imperial Palace for an ordinary apartment, and trade official duties for housework and the supermarket run. Kuroda has said he is determined to help her adjust to her new life. REUTERS/Noboru Hashimoto/Pool 

Well-wishers sign books in celebration of Japan's Princess Sayako's wedding at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo November 15, 2005. Sayako, 36, the only daughter of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, will marry urban planner Kuroda, 40, thus bidding farewell to her life as a privileged princess. The marriage means she will relinquish her title, swap the grandeur of the Imperial Palace for an ordinary apartment, and trade official duties for housework and the supermarket run. REUTERS/Toru Hanai 

Japanese Empress Michiko (R) and Emperor Akihito wave as they leave the Imperial Palace en route to a downtown hotel in Tokyo for the wedding of their daughter Princess Sayako and commoner Yoshiki Kuroda November 15, 2005. Sayako, 36, the only daughter of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, will marry urban planner Kuroda, 40, thus bidding farewell to her life as a privileged princess. The marriage means she will relinquish her title, swap the grandeur of the Imperial Palace for an ordinary apartment, and trade official duties for housework and the supermarket run. REUTERS/Everett Kennedy Brown/Pool 

Japanese Prince Akishino (R) and Princess Kiko (L) arrive at the hotel for Princess Sayako's wedding with Yoshiki Kuroda in Tokyo November 15, 2005. Sayako, 36, the only daughter of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, will marry urban planner Kuroda, 40, thus bidding farewell to her life as a privileged princess. The marriage means she will relinquish her title, swap the grandeur of the Imperial Palace for an ordinary apartment, and trade official duties for housework and the supermarket run. REUTERS/Toshifumi Kitamura/Pool 

Imperial police lead well-wishers to sign books in celebration of Japan's Pricess Syako's wedding at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo November 15, 2005. Sayako, 36, the only daughter of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, will marry urban planner Kuroda, 40, thus bidding farewell to her life as a privileged princess. The marriage means she will relinquish her title, swap the grandeur of the Imperial Palace for an ordinary apartment, and trade official duties for housework and the supermarket run. REUTERS/Toru Hanai 

Japanese Empress Michiko leaves the Imperial Palace en route to a downtown hotel in Tokyo for the wedding of her daughter Princess Sayako and commoner Yoshiki Kuroda November 15, 2005. Sayako, 36, the only daughter of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, will marry urban planner Kuroda, 40, thus bidding farewell to her life as a privileged princess. The marriage means she will relinquish her title, swap the grandeur of the Imperial Palace for an ordinary apartment, and trade official duties for housework and the supermarket run. REUTERS/Everett Kennedy Brown/Pool 

Princess Sayako drives from the Imperial Palace in her motorcade to her wedding in Tokyo November 15, 2005. Sayako, 36, has chosen to marry the 40-year-old Tokyo town planner, meaning she must give up her title, swap the grandeur of the Imperial Palace for an ordinary apartment, and trade official duties for housework and the supermarket run. Kuroda has said he is determined to help her adjust to her new life. REUTERS/Everett Kennedy Brown/Pool 

Japanese Princess Sayako arrives at the hotel where she will marry Yoshiki Kuroda in Tokyo November 15, 2005. Sayako, 36, the only daughter of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, will marry urban planner Kuroda, 40, thus bidding farewell to her life as a privileged princess. The marriage means she will relinquish her title, swap the grandeur of the Imperial Palace for an ordinary apartment, and trade official duties for housework and the supermarket run. REUTERS/Toshifumi Kitamura/Pool 

Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito (R) and Crown Princess Masako (L) arrive at the hotel for Princess Sayako's wedding with Yoshiki Kuroda in Tokyo November 15, 2005. Sayako, 36, the only daughter of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, will marry urban planner Kuroda, 40, thus bidding farewell to her life as a privileged princess. The marriage means she will relinquish her title, swap the grandeur of the Imperial Palace for an ordinary apartment, and trade official duties for housework and the supermarket run. REUTERS/Toshifumi Kitamura/Pool 

Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko arrive at the hotel for Princess Sayako's wedding with Yoshiki Kuroda in Tokyo November 15, 2005. Sayako, 36, the only daughter of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, will marry urban planner Kuroda, 40, thus bidding farewell to her life as a privileged princess. The marriage means she will relinquish her title, swap the grandeur of the Imperial Palace for an ordinary apartment, and trade official duties for housework and the supermarket run. REUTERS/Toshifumi Kitamura/Pool 

Yoshiki Kuroda leaves for his wedding ceremony with Princess Sayako in Tokyo November 15, 2005. Sayako, 36, has chosen to marry the 40-year-old Tokyo urban planner, meaning she must give up her title, swap the grandeur of the Imperial Palace for an ordinary apartment, and trade official duties for housework and the supermarket run. Kuroda has said he is determined to help her adjust to her new life. REUTERS/Noboru Hashimoto/Pool 

Yoshiki Kuroda smiles as he arrives at the Imperial Hotel for his wedding ceremony with Princess Sayako in Tokyo November 15, 2005. Sayako, 36, has chosen to marry the 40-year-old Tokyo urban planner, meaning she must give up her title, swap the grandeur of the Imperial Palace for an ordinary apartment, and trade official duties for housework and the supermarket run. Kuroda has said he is determined to help her adjust to her new life. REUTERS/Toshifumi Kitamura/Pool 

Roberto Delgadillo irons a pair of pants while his wife Maria Aguirre hangs clothes, July 22. Traditionally macho Mexican men found themselves doing household tasks during a one-day "strike" by Mexico City women called to gain recognition of the value of their housework.

HR/HB/CLH/ 

Gudrun Schyman, leader of Sweden's ex-communist Left Party gestures during an election campaign in the inner city of Stockholm September 18. [Schyman comes under pressure after she defended her failure to tell the tax man about payments to a teenage family friend for help with her housework. Neither of Sweden's main parties, the ruling Social Democrats (SDP) and the opposition Moderates, are set to win a majority in the September 20 general election, but with the support of the Left Party, the SDP may emerge with enough seats to retain power. ] 

Gudrun Schyman, leader of Sweden's ex-communist Left Party gestures during an election campaign in the inner city of Stockholm September 18. Schyman comes under pressure after she defended her failure to tell the tax man about payments to a teenage family friend for help with her housework. Neither of Sweden's main parties, the ruling Social Democrats (SDP) and the opposition Moderates, are set to win a majority in the September 20 general election, but with the support of the Left Party, the SDP may emerge with enough seats to retain power.

FAB/ME 

Children do housework in one of the four orphanages in the northern Russian town of Pechory (780 km north-west from Moscow) on November 25. The parents in the majority of the cases are alive but the children were taken from them because of alcohol abuse or a criminal background