- Agency, Work-Life Balance, Norms, Domestic Work, Gender Stereotyping.
Abstract
Work-life balance remains a daunting task for most women in Africa. This is complicated by the existing gender stereotypes and norms that accrue domestic work to women regardless of their professional responsibilities. Despite the existing legal, and institutional framework on relieving women, there is no significant improvement. This paper examined the role of agency in determining work-life balance among employed women. Secondary data was used to assess theoretical and practical terrains on how agency can retrieve women's work-life balance and elicit norms transformation. Using a work-life balance model and role theory, the study proposes that legal and institutional frameworks still have a crucial role to play in suppressing stereotypes and norms that condemn women to overworking. Additionally, there must be a positive support system, room for women to make choices, and flexibility for agency to support women's work-life balance. The paper also establishes the significance of the role of men in creating a strong agency that this can only happen when men become catalysts for bringing the balance needed. Additionally, work-life balance provides immunity for mental illness that most women in professional employment are facing. This study contributes to global initiatives for escalating the number of women in professional employment. It also complements global campaigns towards having women who are mentally fit and who can become successful in their professional careers and their social lives.