In today’s world, women are increasingly embracing professional ambitions alongside managing family responsibilities. While it is a choice for some women, for most, it is a necessity driven by practical and economic reasons. Yet, for almost all, finding that elusive balance between professional and personal life remains a significant challenge. On one hand, we witness a growing number of women entering the workforce and assuming leadership roles. On the other hand, the societal expectation that women should manage most, if not all, of the domestic duties remains firmly entrenched. The task of striking a balance between these two roles can often feel overwhelming. 

Women’s Evolving Role in Society
The roles of women have shifted drastically over the past century. Traditionally, women were expected to stay at home, care for children, and manage household duties, while men were regarded as the primary breadwinners. In the early 20th century, women began fighting for their rights to work, vote, and access to education. World War II further accelerated women’s involvement in the workforce as they stepped into roles that had traditionally been occupied by men. The 1960s and 70s brought the Women’s Liberation Movement, a wave of social changes that expanded educational and professional opportunities for women. Yet, even with these advancements, many women found themselves juggling both their careers and the bulk of family responsibilities. 
The “Superwoman” Myth
Society began to romanticise the image of the superwoman–a damaging ideal which perpetuates the notion that women should flawlessly manage their careers, families, social lives, and personal well-being without faltering. This myth not only creates unrealistic standards but also adds tremendous pressure on women to achieve perfection in every area of their lives. When we glorify a superhuman idea and place a human on such a pedestal, we essentially take the right away from the human to have or reveal any vulnerability, need, limitation, or variability that is natural to a human. Many women feel guilty for prioritising work over family or vice versa–not to mention their ambition after being lost somewhere amidst the “roles” they are expected to fulfill in their professional and personal lives. The pressure to “have it all” has led to rising rates of burnout and mental health challenges among women, particularly working mothers. Balancing a career and family is not about perfection—it’s about making choices that align with one’s values, priorities, and resources. This indicates that the picture of balance might vary every day but those variations would make sense within the life of the person. 
Policies Supporting Women in the Workplace
One of the most effective ways to help women navigate the balance between career and family, and diffuse the “superwoman” myth in our society, is through progressive policies that offer flexibility and support. Following are some ways different nations have supported women in the workforce and set examples for others globally:
• Menstrual Leave: It may be surprising to learn that some countries like Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Indonesia offer menstrual leave to women in the workplace. These nations are also exemplary in their work ethic and meticulous policies for their labour force. Prioritising equity in care leads to better progress in nations, and so this is a fairly good example for other nations as well.
• Parental Leave: Countries like Norway and Sweden have long been praised for their comprehensive parental leave policies, which allow both men and women to take time off to care for new-borns while receiving financial support.  In Canada, standard parental leave provides for up to 52 weeks of leave, which can be split between both parents, with a maximum of 35 weeks accessible to any one parent. Policies like these not only give women the flexibility they need during crucial times but also shift the responsibility of caregiving to include fathers, alleviating some of the burdens from women and rightfully dividing among both parents.
• Childcare Support: It is another essential policy for working women. Affordable, accessible child care enables women to pursue their careers without worrying about the cost or quality of care for their children. In some countries, government-subsidised childcare is a key part of family policy, easing the financial strain on working families. For many women, knowing that their children are well-cared for allows them to focus on their professional growth.
• Flexible Working Hours and Remote Work: These options have become especially relevant in today’s post-pandemic world. These options give women the freedom to adjust their work schedules to accommodate family responsibilities, whether it’s picking up children from school or attending doctor’s appointments. Such flexibility can be a game changer, enabling women to pursue their career ambitions without sacrificing their role as caregivers.
The Importance of Supportive Work Cultures
Beyond policies, company culture plays a crucial role in helping women balance career and family. In some workplaces, despite the presence of maternity leave or flexible hours, women still feel penalised or stigmatised for prioritising family responsibilities. A supportive culture is one that not only offers policies but actively encourages work-life balance without negative repercussions.
One example of a progressive work environment is tech giant Salesforce Inc. which has implemented family-friendly policies like extended parental leave and on-site childcare, while also fostering a culture of work-life balance. They have created mentorship programs that encourage women to rise to leadership positions, and they provide resources to help working parents navigate their careers while raising children.
Strategies for Avoiding Burnout
While supportive policies and workplaces are vital, women also need personal strategies to avoid burnout.
• Prioritise: Success comes from knowing what we want and curating systems to ensure we achieve it. Ranking what is a priority is crucial in creating such systems. Some questions to level out priorities in personal and professional life are: What are my negotiable and non-negotiable tasks? Can I sort some tasks into ‘do well’ and ‘do’ categories? Use ‘Impact versus Urgency Matrix’ to determine where and how to spend mental and emotional resources.  
• Learn to Delegate: One of the highly valued skills in leadership is that of delegation. To make the most efficient use of time and resources, women must learn to leverage the same from people and places around them. Understanding the strengths of co-workers and family members, and helping build on them by delegating appropriate tasks–also doing the same for them–helps build a mutual relationship of trust, belongingness, and individual esteem.
• Set Boundaries: Delegating tasks may also mean saying “no” to non-essential obligations. Simply adding perspective by reminding yourself of what essentials you can say “yes” to would make work and domestic life easy for you. 
• Mindfulness: One powerful tool can help women remain centered in the face of competing demands. Mindfulness practices, such as meditation or breathing exercises, encourage presence and self-awareness, which can reduce stress and promote mental clarity.
• Setting Aside Me Time: is equally important. Carving out time for personal interests, whether it’s reading, exercise, or hobbies, allows women to recharge and maintain a sense of identity outside of work and family roles. Physical activity, in particular, has been shown to reduce stress and improve mood, making it an excellent outlet for managing the pressures of balancing multiple responsibilities.
• Self-compassion: One of the boldest acts of self-compassion women can offer themselves is the permission to let go of the idea of “superwoman”–even if society does not. No one is perfect, and trying to meet society’s standards in every area of life is both exhausting and impossible. Women must learn to be kinder to themselves, to recognize that it’s perfectly healthy to be human, make some mistakes, learn and grow from them as a result, and accept that they don’t need to meet every expectation set by the society.
• Be Realistic with Resources: Letting go of perfectionism is about setting realistic goals and priorities. It’s also about reframing the narrative instead of aiming to “have it all,” women can focus on having what they truly want and need. By acknowledging that balance is different for everyone, women can define success on their terms, whether that’s excelling in a career, nurturing a family, or finding harmony between the two.
Cultural norms are not static. As more women enter the workforce and demand equality, these norms are beginning to shift. There is a growing recognition that balancing work and family is not just a women’s issue—it’s a societal issue. Both men and women benefit from a work environment that supports families and values work-life balance. In the end, it is also crucial to remember that the word “balancing” is a verb. It is a constant adjustment and readjustment to the changes that continue to happen in one’s life. It only becomes that much easier as one chooses forward action and movement. To keep going and to keep applying our learning makes balance easier to achieve.  HH

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