WORK - LIFE BALANCE AND INSTITUTIONAL PRESSURES: EXPERIENCES OF WOMEN FACULTY IN SELF-FINANCING COLLEGES

Abstract

Work–life balance has emerged as a critical concern in the higher education sector, particularly for women faculty members employed in self-financing colleges. These institutions, driven largely by market-oriented models and financial sustainability goals, often impose intensive workloads, performance pressures, and extended working hours on academic staff. Women faculty members, who simultaneously manage professional responsibilities and socio-cultural expectations related to family and caregiving roles, face compounded challenges in maintaining a healthy balance between work and personal life. This article explores the experiences of women faculty in self-financing colleges, focusing on institutional pressures that influence their work–life balance. Drawing upon existing literature, contextual analysis, and experiential insights, the study examines key stressors such as workload intensification, job insecurity, administrative demands, gendered expectations, and limited institutional support mechanisms. The article concludes with policy recommendations aimed at fostering gender-sensitive institutional practices and promoting sustainable academic work environments