Pakistan is a land of culture with values, where social attitudes and cultural practices form an integral part of women’s mental health issues, specifically at work. The changes occur gradually with the modernization of society, and then it sets the ground for mental health issues within the organizational umbrella. All employees face work stress and burnout, but unfortunately, the effects seem higher on women employees than their male counterparts because of the expectations of society, the traditional roles of women, and discrimination. Mental health awareness is growing day by day, yet the corporate sectors in Pakistan are still lacking the required infrastructure to address these issues effectively.
Major Mental Health Problems Faced by Pakistani Women in Corporate Sectors
Workplace discrimination and gender bias:
To begin with, workplace discrimination and gender bias remain some of the most significant factors contributing to the mental health challenges of women at work. They are not equally graded as compared to their male counterparts, and they are subjected to limited career opportunities while being accorded lesser pay. Besides biases in performance evaluation, women experience occupational segregation. This discrimination results in negative outcomes such as stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout.
One such study that focused on gender discrimination and the mental health of women reveals that women who perceived gender discrimination admitted experiencing more depressive symptoms compared with women with no perception of gender discrimination.
Work-life balance
This is one of the major causes of the poor mental health of working women in Pakistan: work-life balance woes. Pakistan is a traditional nation where cultural expectations are so severe that these women have to juggle responsibilities in the personal and professional worlds. Apart from going to work, they also have to do the house chores, look after their kids, and even care for aged people. It’s exhausting, causing anxiety, anger, and even depression in some cases. In addition to that, the non-provision of any flexible work options and adverse conditions on maternity leaves worsen the burden of juggling responsibilities.
Workplace Harassment and Mental Health
Likewise, work harassment and mental health are the new culprits making havoc on the better mental health of corporate women in Pakistan. Gender harassment and workplace exposure lead to undesirable mental outcomes such as an increase in stress, anxiety, and depression; this compromises productivity at work. The harassment experienced by women at workplaces in Pakistan varies from inappropriate comments to severe sexual harassment. The situation is further aggravated in Pakistan by the absence of strict anti-harassment policies in workplaces.
Absence of sensitivity and stigma regarding mental health at the work site
Lack of mental health awareness at the workplace and stigma is yet another major problem haunting women’s mental health in the workplace. With modernization, there is gradually growing awareness about mental health; however, it still carries a lot of stigma in Pakistan regarding going for psychological help. This results in women’s hesitance to openly discuss their mental health due to the fear of being judged and regarded as being weak. There is, moreover, pressure on women to succeed at home and in the workplace; this leaves little space for self-care, ultimately affecting their mental health.
Burnout at Work Due to Excessive Work
Burnout is another phenomenon that strikes women’s mental and occupational life. Burnout is a sort of physical, emotional, or mental exhaustion stemming from excessive work pressure or stress. Women often face enormous workloads in Pakistan and are also expected to perform excellently on two vital fronts: personal and executive. While striving to attain that high level of perfection in just about every possible aspect of life, one tends to sustain chronic stress and frustration, finally impacting the mental health of the female population.
Professional isolation
Isolation is a huge factor for women in societies like Pakistan, where men dominate. Women in leadership positions or other male-dominated professional areas suffer from isolation in professional settings. There is a lack of female mentors and support systems; therefore, women may find it hard to identify sources of guidance in their professional journeys. This isolation is a precursor to loneliness and self-doubt, which then leads to increased anxiety and depression. Social isolation and loneliness have been linked with mental illness, emotional discomfort, suicide, and bad behavioral patterns such as smoking and poor sleep, as stated in many studies. The other effects of social isolation can be hypertension and compromised immunity.
Job insecurity
Lastly, job insecurity is one ugly thing that has been related to women’s mental health in the workplace. There are wider perceptions embedded in job insecurity compared to gender discrimination that increases stress levels for women; a lot has to do with caregiving responsibilities and gender perceptions of workforce longevity. Once a woman gets married, she is viewed more or less as a temporary employee member.
Ways to Elevate Mental Wellness Among Women in Workplaces
Corporate employers require a proactive mental health policy and program to improve women’s mental health in workplaces within Pakistan.
Some of the ways include:
Mental health policy in workplaces
Comprehensive mental health policy in corporate organizations is required to be viewed as equal opportunity provision for both males and females, anti-harassment policy, maternity leave, and flexible work arrangements.
Employee well-being programs
Organized mental health programs improve the overall well-being of women employees in the workplace. The programs can include stress management and mental health awareness workshops, and regular mental health practitioner checkups for the employees.
Secure and Inclusive Work Environment
Most important to mention is that a secure and inclusive work environment is essential for women’s mental health. There should be a zero harassment policy in corporate sectors in Pakistan, and organizations should encourage open discussion of mental health issues in team meetings and training sessions.
Leadership Roles for Women
Encouraging women to leadership roles would have a positive impact on their mental health. Corporate sectors should encourage mentorship and training opportunities as well as establish leadership development programs specifically for female workers.
Online Platforms in Mental Health within Pakistan
Mental health is a crucial aspect of every person’s life. With technological advancements, online platforms like SehatYab have made it easy for people to get mental health support. SehatYab is a crucial platform that offers online counseling and psychiatric services, helping women overcome workplace stress and mental health struggles without the fear of social stigma. It provides confidentiality and easy accessibility, along with flexible timings and cost-effective options.
Corporate sectors in Pakistan must prioritize employee well-being by implementing strong mental health policies to support their female workforce truly. It is the responsibility of the corporate sector. Organizations must take pragmatic steps to ensure that women in the workplace have the support they need to thrive both professionally and personally.