Lived Experiences of Work-life Balance in Women Academics during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Pakistan

Ambreen Salahuddin, Qaisar Khalid Mahmood and Iram Rubab

Abstract

Living in lockdown proved a novel experience for the global population. This happened for the first time in recent human history due to the COVID-19 outbreak. As yet, less is known about how families have managed under social isolation. Working mothers, who typically worked for twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, were burdened more and faced numerous challenges. Social distancing, coupled with online schooling, was a major challenge for these working mothers. This study documents the lived experiences of Pakistani working mothers, to explore issues of work-life balance during lockdown by using a phenomenological framework and the theoretical lens of "performative action” and the "second shift". The study results reveal that the persistent gender role compartmentalization appeared in its more complex form during COVID-19. The situation was further worsened due to the economic backlash families were confronting during the pandemic. Socially assigned roles of women as an ‘Ideal mother’ and ‘Ideal wife’ in the domestic sphere, and an ‘Ideal worker’ in the professional sphere created role conflict for women. The findings of this study will help to develop gender-responsive policies to address the implications of the pandemic.