Work–life balance among public-sector mothers in Ethiopia: social, economic, and organizational determinants

Résumé

Work–life balance (WLB), a long-standing central focus of policy and academic debate in industrialized countries, is increasingly becoming a pressing concern in developing nations, such as Ethiopia, particularly in rapidly growing urban areas. Persistent poverty, rising inflation, and inadequate infrastructure intensify these challenges, especially for working mothers who must simultaneously manage paid employment, childcare, and social responsibilities. This mixed-methods study explores the determinants of WLB among Ethiopian public employee mothers, focusing on those with children under the age of four. Drawing on qualitative interviews and quantitative survey data analyzed through Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), the study examines how economic, organizational, and social factors interact to shape mothers’ ability to balance professional and family roles. Grounded in the Job Demands–Resources (JD–R) model, Ecological Systems Theory, and Role Theory, the findings reveal that economic strain, organizational rigidity, and gendered social expectations collectively constrain women’s capacity to maintain balance. Evidence from both qualitative and quantitative analyses converges to show that financial hardship, high living costs, and limited access to childcare exert the strongest pressures on mothers’ work–life experiences. Organizational barriers, including inflexible schedules, lack of institutional support, and long commutes, further exacerbate these difficulties, while traditional gender norms continue to assign domestic responsibilities primarily to women. The study calls for integrated and practical interventions, such as subsidized childcare, flexible working arrangements, inflation-adjusted wages, and community-based childcare support, that address economic, organizational, and social barriers simultaneously. Beyond its empirical findings, this research contributes to extending established theoretical frameworks on work–life balance to the realities of developing countries. In the Ethiopian context, the findings offer valuable insights for shaping economic welfare and labor policies, as well as guiding the efforts of governmental institutions, private sector actors, and international organizations. Addressing these challenges is essential not only for improving women’s empowerment and children’s well-being but also for strengthening community development and social equity.