Balancing work and life ; Household work, professional career and problems of employed women in Kathmandu

Abstract

This study focuses on married women's work-life balance in Kathmandu, Nepal, and how the gendered division of domestic work impacts their work-life. The support for this study arises from the fact that, in the past decades, a larger number of women have been coming to work due to factors like increased educational attainment, globalization, gender equality movements, and dual incomes. Despite times changing, there are still some traditional gender roles in which women do all the domestic work. This gender difference significantly affects their job chances, well-being, and satisfaction at work. A qualitative-descriptive design composed the core of the study, alongside applications of the narrative and exploratory methods, and in-depth interviews of 20 married women and case studies of five married women aged 20 to 45 years from mixed professional backgrounds. The findings reveal that the gendered division of household labor creates a double load for women, leaving them with little time available for personal well-being or career growth. Despite their active involvement in professional careers, women are still largely tasked with domestic tasks such as cooking, cleaning, childcare, and care for elderly. In order to meet their professional and domestic commitments, women adopt varied strategies, including hiring household help, calling upon extended family members, or seeking flexibility from their employers in modifying work schedules. However, the research points out the significant challenges, including physical exhaustion, mental stress, and barriers to career development due to the competing demands of work and family. Societal norms and cultural expectations often discourage men from sharing domestic responsibilities equally, further exacerbating the imbalance. Despite these challenges, the study identifies coping mechanisms, such as prioritizing tasks, delegation of work, and adjusting schedules. The importance of shared domestic responsibilities, particularly with supportive family members, is emphasized as essential to the promotion of work-life balance and job satisfaction. The findings highlight the need for both organizational and societal systemic reforms. On the societal level, shifting traditional gender roles and promoting shared domestic responsibilities are crucial. Athe organizational level, implementing policies such as flexible working hours, remote work options(teleworking), and parental leave can significantly support women to achieve an improved work-life balance. Keywords: Work-life balance, Household work, Professional career, balancing strategies, Challenges of women, Gender roles t