Author: Wan Azurani binti Wan Ahmad K.B,P.A

 

This article is based on the author's reading of the challenges faced by working women. The reading from an article titled 'Perspective: Reality and Challenges of Working Women' is analyzed according to the author's personal point of view where the content and lessons presented in the article are seen to provide useful input especially for working women today.

 

Concept of Balance Between Career and Personal Life

 

According to Nor Asmah Zakaria (2020), based on a survey conducted by Linkedin Learning (2019) of 2,843 professional respondents showed that 49 percent of them reported experiencing stress in their jobs. The study shows that workers experience stress due to the difficulty in achieving a balance between career and personal life. This balance is different for each individual because we all have different priorities and lives. According to him, the achievement and pleasure of happiness that is achieved every day is the main key in finding a point of balance.

 

Changing Times, The Reality of Women's Development Past and Present

 

Citing a report published by the Department of Statistics Malaysia on 15 July 2019, the total female population is 15.8 million people while the male population is 1 million more than the female population which is 16.8 million people. The gender ratio is 107 males for every 100 females.

 

Berita Harian Online dated March 8, 2019 mentioned in its excerpt, the role of women is seen as so important and has made up half of the country's population. Furthermore, we have seen that women are no longer limited to carrying out duties and responsibilities at home alone. In fact, women are now also seen to have ventured into work fields that were previously dominated by men comparable to the level of educational achievement they have.

 

In addition, many women have succeeded in reaching their potential and helping to strengthen the family and national economy. This scenario is different compared to the life of women in the past who were often associated with the responsibility of managing the family and household only. Their world is only at home surrounded by parents and siblings. For those who are married, it is their responsibility to be by the side of their husbands, children and in-laws. Nevertheless, women are seen to be increasing over time, not to mention having a higher level of education and some holding important positions in the professional field.

 

The increase in the progress of science and technology has to some extent boosted the field of the workforce regardless of status and gender. The involvement of women in various aspects of national development cannot be disputed anymore. Almost every sector whether economic, social, legal, education, politics, medicine, security, administration, trade and so on has been ventured by women.

 

Therefore, the ability of women is now proven to be almost equal to that of men except from a physical point of view. Even so, no matter how high their rank and career status, responsibility towards the family remains a priority.

 

Stress between the Demands of Family Responsibilities and Duties

 

Women are often seen to be constantly faced with a conflict of balance between family and career, especially for those who are married (Fatimah Abdullah, 1985). Moreover, working women spend a lot of their time with a busy daily routine. They have to get up early in the morning to take care of their children and family, go out to work with an average of eight to ten hours a day, return home late in the afternoon or early at night and continue their duties as a wife and mother. This scenario has caused the body to become too tired, tired and emotionally full of tension to the point that some neglect their husbands and children.

 

According to Nurul Naimah Rose and Mohd Yusri Mustafa (2018) again, among the causes that lead to stress are due to lack of free time for family and oneself, excessive homework (as mentioned in Bird, 1999), childcare issues, less communication with partner and fatigue (as mentioned in Glass and Fujimoto, 1994).

 

According to Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, Chairman of the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and patron of the Malaysian Psychiatric Association (MPA) in Astro Awani on 21 February 2019, the issue of stress at work is very important and must be overcome. He also explained that the level of awareness about mental health in the workplace is still low. Therefore, employers need to take care of the mental health of their employees so that the risk of emotional stress can be avoided. In addition, the lack of support from colleagues and employers is also one of the causes of stress. Among the forms of stress that often occur are cases of bullying at work and not being given the opportunity for promotion. In fact, some receive emotional abuse such as ridicule, sexual harassment, toxic work environment, working hours are too long that there is no time to rest and it is difficult to take time off. Not only that, an organization needs to ensure that its employees are not burdened with excessive tasks. Stress can come in many ways and forms. Among them, when employees are given a new assignment that is outside their expertise and scope of work, they have to learn the scope of the work even at the same time have to deal with the employer's expectations. In this context, the imbalance to adapt to this new scope of work can invite conflict and stress because an employee feels burdened with tasks to the point of not being able to divide enough time with the family. This will indirectly cause dissatisfaction and affect health and work performance and productivity will also be affected (Sharifah Hayaati Syed Ismail, 2017).

 

Therefore, the government always preserves the rights and interests of women in order to protect and preserve their welfare and increase their active participation in various employment sectors including education, economy, social, health and politics.

 

In conclusion, the challenges that working women have to face are not easy. It requires understanding and tolerance from all parties so that working women can move forward on a par regardless of gender. Wisdom in dealing with emotions, pressure at work in line with responsibility is the main pillar in their well-being.

 

Source: Norasmah Zakaria (2020). Perspektif : Realiti dan cabaran wanita berkerjaya. https://www.tsis.my/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/PERSPEKTIF-Realiti-dan-Cabaran-Wanita-Bekerjaya-1.pdf

Date of Input: 29/06/2023 | Updated: 29/06/2023 | ayna