Working women seek policies for better work-life balance

Working-class women have called on the government to implement policies that promote work-life balance and improve their overall wellbeing.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja, the women said rigid work schedules, limited access to healthcare, rising inflation and increasing family responsibilities were taking a toll on them.

They advocated for easier access to affordable healthcare services, reduction in costs and more flexible working arrangements to enable them manage both professional and personal responsibilities effectively.

Mrs Fatima Adamu, Headmistress of L.E.A Primary School, Wuse II Zone 3, Abuja, said that due to her workload, she barely had time for personal medical care.

Advertisement

She said she only visited the hospital when she felt sick or experienced alarming symptoms, noting that preventive care was often neglected due to time constraints.

“If the government can implement a policy that every first week of the month we should have free access to healthcare services in our workplaces, it will help make a difference,” she said.

Adamu also said that a system allowing remote work or flexible hours would help women remain productive without experiencing burnout.

She commended the improvement in maternity leave, noting that extending it to about four months was a positive step toward supporting working mothers.

Similarly, a banker at a GTB branch in Kubwa, who pleaded anonymity, said balancing work with childcare and personal health had become increasingly challenging.

“We will appreciate it if the government can re-enforce remote work and hybrid models like we did during the pandemic period,” she said.

Mrs Aisha Yakubu, a receptionist at Aleb Pharmaceuticals, Minna, said maintaining a healthy diet had become difficult due to the rising cost of living.

She said many families were forced to sacrifice nutritional balance for affordability, which could negatively affect productivity and quality of life.

Contesting the Portable vs Carter Efe’s cruel ring-fight, By Tony Erha

Mrs Kemi Adeyemi, a matron at Al-Mabroor Health Services, said there was a need for practical and affordable healthy eating options for families.

“A healthy life does not have to be expensive.

“Buying seasonal fruits, vegetables and other farm produce can help families maintain a balanced diet,” she said.

Adeyemi, however, noted that even seasonal foods had become expensive, forcing families to prioritise quantity over quality in their meals.

She called on the government to reduce food prices to enable workers maintain balanced and nutritious diets.

Dr Yusuf Ahmadi, a radiologist at the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, Abuja, said irregular eating habits, lack of sleep and prolonged stress were common among working women.

He said those habits could lead to health conditions such as hypertension, heart problems, weakened immunity, depression and other chronic illnesses.

“If women can reduce work overload, rest well, eat healthy foods and exercise regularly, it becomes easier to balance work and maintain a healthy life,” he said