The Department of Business Administration, in collaboration with the Women’s Association of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (WAUPSA), has organised a one-day roundtable to discuss and address the issue of work-life balance for women.
The seminar, themed “Work-life balance: A mirage or a possibility?” formed part of activities to commemorate this year’s Mother’s Day.
Head of the Department of Business Administration, Dr Ummu Markwei, emphasized the importance of work-life balance and the need for employers and families to support their employees and relatives in achieving it.
She highlighted the challenges faced by women, including long working hours, household responsibilities, and childcare, which often lead to burnout and mental health issues.
The roundtable featured a panel discussion with experts from various fields, including academia, media, and civil society, sharing their insights and experiences.
The panelists included Shamima Muslim, Founder of the Alliance for Women in Media Africa; Prof Abigail Opoku Mensah, Dean of the UPSA Centre for International Education and Collaboration; Dr Peace Mamle Tetteh, a sociologist; and Dr Mercy Desouza, a lecturer at UPSA.
They bemoaned how corporate workers, especially women, have been negatively impacted in their quest to find the right balance between work and family life or leisure activities.
They also explored practical solutions to address the challenges women face and discussed the need for flexible working arrangements, increased access to childcare, and support for mental health.
At the end of the session, participants had the opportunity to share their experiences and brainstorm solutions to the challenges they face, including strategies such as time management, delegation, and self-care to help them achieve work-life balance.
The President of WAUPSA, Dr Mrs Helen Arkorful, thanked the participants for their active engagement and encouraged them to continue the conversation in their workplaces and communities.
For her part, the Director of Public Affairs at UPSA and chairperson of the event, Mrs Aba Lokko, stressed the importance of working together to achieve work-life balance for all, and not just women.
She disclosed that the women’s association plans to continue this conversation and work towards creating a more supportive and equitable workplace for all.
