Challenges Of Dual Responsibility Among Women Employees And Its Effects On Family Life: The Case Of Jima Rare Woreda, Horro Guduru Wollega Zone, Oromia Regional State

Abstract

The Challenges of dual responsibility among women employee and its effect on family life is apressing issue in our country of Ethiopia, because dual women employees were challenged with the over lap between the time allocated for employment and parenting responsibilities. But in reality incase of working women society put some constrains which have produced its impact up on her physical and mental health.she also faces many challengies with her time allocation while engaging in income generating activities out side.. A proper balance between career and parenting can be said to exist when there is good functional relationship between the two with a minimum of role conflict. Nonetheless, this is a feat that only a small minority is able to achieve. The objective of this study, thus, is to assess challenges of dual responsibility among women employees and its effects on family life of women employees residing in selected government sectors under the administration of Oromia regional state, Horo Guduru Wollega Zone, Jima Rare woreda. It is a descriptive and explanatory research design employing both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Questionnaire, interview and focus group discussion guides developed and used to collect data. A total of 163 dual responsible women employees who are working in government sectors and Primary schools under the administration of Jima Rare woreda were selected for the study using stratified random sampling; four in depth interviews, and two FGDs were also conducted. The data collected in such a manner were presented, discussed and analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. The main theme that filters through the discussions was the fact that the majority of the respondents are unsuccessful in striking a balance between their professional and parenting lives. In addition, the conflicts that result from the imbalance in career and parenthood took its toll on women making their lives stressful and tensioned and depressed which is more likely to bring more challenges in the relationship between the two aspects of their lives. The research revealed that long working hours of women employee and the incompatible working schedules with domestic responsibility reduce women participation in the development and upbringing of the child. The introduction of flexible working hour‟s schedules and child care facilities in work places can help in solving the problems that emanate from combining work and domestic responsibilities. This study recommends vigorous policy intervention, expanding coping strategies, higher officials support and further studies to address the problem