Title: Female academics in higher education institutes and their work-life balance strategies: a voiceless saga

Authors: Rabia Naseem; Kanwal Iqbal Khan; Sobia Naseem; Quratulain Akhtar

Addresses: Institute of Business and Management, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan ' Management Sciences Department, University of Engineering and Technology, New Campus, Kala Shah Kaku, Pakistan ' Department of English Language and Literature, University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan ' Institute of Business and Management, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract: Work-life balance (WLB) is a widely explored topic in the academic discourse. The researchers are trying to find strategies to effectively balance their work and home responsibilities for women in management. This study aims to analyse how gender roles and inequalities shape the strategies of female academics in higher education institutions. Eighteen faculty members participated in the semi-structured interviews. The trustworthiness of qualitative inquiry was ascertained by using triangulation, thick descriptions, and peer reviews. Three major themes emerged from the analysis: emotional, religious and social strategies. Despite available support, faculty noted challenges in managing work and family roles and fighting with gender stereotypes. This research adds to the emerging concept of WLB literature from the developed countries' viewpoint. It also shows how WLB discourse varies from Western sensibilities and collaborates with the previously established strategies that female academics formulate in WLB.

Keywords: gender roles; female academics; work-life balance strategies; professional careers; gender stereotypes; higher education institutions.

DOI: 10.1504/IJKL.2024.141819

International Journal of Knowledge and Learning, 2024 Vol.17 No.6, pp.573 - 595

Received: 07 Oct 2021
Accepted: 05 Nov 2022
Published online: 02 Oct 2024 *

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