Balancing Professional and Domestic Roles: Challenges and Strategies of Working Women in Birendranagar Municipality of Nepal

Abstract

This research explores the challenges and strategies of working women in balancing professional and domestic responsibilities in Birendranagar, Surkhet, Nepal. The study examines how women navigate household chores while managing work commitment, highlighting the persistent influence of traditional gender role. The primary objective is to understand the coping mechanisms employed by working women to maintain work life balance. Using a qualitative research design, data were collected from semi-structured interviews with 34 working women. The finding indicates that while women employ various strategies, such as prioritizing tasks, delegating responsibilities and seeking family support, societal expectation still place of disproportionate burden on them. The study also highlights how the assignment of family task is often seen as a way to maintain household harmony despite contributing to stress and gender inequality. The research concludes that greater structure support, including workplace flexibility and policy interventions, is necessary to promote gender equality in work-life balance. These insights contribute to the broader discussion on gender roles, domestic responsibilities and professional challenges face by women in Nepal.