Work-family conflict among women in higher learning institutions in Malawi: A case study of Malawi University of Science and Technology

Abstract

This study investigated work-family conflict among women in leadership positions at the Malawi University of Science and Technology  (MUST). Work-family conflict in higher learning institutions can be understood within the social work framework, as it encompasses the  intersectionality of professional responsibilities and personal obligations. The demands from the work domain and family domain may  create burnout, including fatigue, and loss of focus, hence rendering one domain suffer at the expense of fulfilling the demands of the  other domain, affecting employees’ social life and welfare. Recently, the Malawi government has emphasised the need to empower women by appointing them to different leadership positions, and the Malawi University of Science and Technology in its quest to respond  to women empowerment has seen more women assuming different leadership positions within the institution. The study used  a qualitative approach, with data collected through in-depth interviews guided by an interview guide. The study found that women in  leadership positions face multiple challenges including burnout and fatigue as the demands of work subsume the family demands. The  study recommended that the working policy at the institution should be realigned thereby taking into account the wellness and mental  health of women in leadership positions.