Seminar, Friday, 2 May 2014 at 2.30 in Seminar Room A, Coombs, ANU

 

 

Integrating work and family life in sub-Saharan Africa

Zitha Mokomane

Chief Research Specialist

Human and Social Development Programme

Human Sciences Research Council of South Africa

 

The challenges of integrating work and family life are part of everyday reality for the majority of working families across the world. However much of the research and policy dialogue in this area has been taking place in Western countries, resulting in paucity of cross-cultural and comparative work on the subject and limiting the extent to which generalisations can be made based on conclusions of Western studies. Drawing on one of the first systematic efforts to bridge this research gap—a book entitled Work-Family Interface in sub-Saharan Africa:  Challenges and Responses (Z. Mokomane (Ed.), Springer, 2014)—this seminar will present insights into the opportunities and constraints of workers with family responsibilities in sub-Saharan Africa. Specific focus will be on factors underlying work-family conflict in the region; impact of the conflict on families; and current coping strategies. . A plausible roadmap for future research and policymaking in the area of work-family interface in the region will also be discussed.

3 thoughts on “Seminar, Friday, 2 May 2014 at 2.30 in Seminar Room A, Coombs, ANU

  1. This would be an interesting seminar. Indeed work life balance is a fundamental issue in Africa and should therefore take center stage in light of the changing global realities, whereby the participation of women in the labour force is increasing. For example, my country, Liberia, has the first female elected Head of State and Government, and most of the political appointees in the cabinet are females.

  2. I want to appreciate the very informative and educative work done by Dr. Mokomane on the subject of
    “Integrating work and family life in Sub-Sahara African”, which is a major challenge in most African countries.

    Modernisation and development have resulted into more women participating in both the formal and informal workforce, to contribute in economic activities. New challenges have therefore been borne both for the traditional family unit and at the work environment. Deliberate adoption of policies and programs that provide a conducive environment for raising the family as well as promoting participation in economic growth activities is necessary. This requires sensitisation of Formal Institutions and communities to change the paternalistic culture and attitude because women are now playing a role in economic growth and development.

  3. The challenge is bigger for women in the informal sector because they have no opportunity for maternity leave.The emergence of child care centers has not helped matters as they are either not well established or beyond the reach of majority. Most families have resulted to house-helps who are untrained and largely unreliable.In Kenya for example, there are cases where house-helps have ‘abducted’ kids under their care.

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