Abstract
Culturally, women are expected to perform countless duties in patriarchal societies in Limpopo. Yet currently, most women are now permanent members of the paid labour force, but still, perform the same numerous duties as stay-at-home women. This results in role conflict for women in school leadership positions, especially during COVID-19 lockdown. The study saw a scarcity of literature that focuses on the influence of COVID-19 on work-family conflict aimed at women in school leadership, especially in patriarchal societies. This study sought to answer the main study question, How do women in school leadership at Limpopo Province schools balance the work-to-family conflict during the COVID-19 lockdown? guided by the critical feminist theory, this qualitative study invited six women in school leadership in the Limpopo province, who led schools during the COVID-19 lockdown. The participants were individually interviewed and observed while they were performing daily duties at work as well as at their homes. The study, explored the conflict of roles, challenges and experiences women in school leadership faced during the COVID-19 lockdown; how COVID-19 worsened the work-family conflict for them; and approaches these women would use to balance work-family conflict in the event of similar crises. Although the study was limited to a few participants, this study confirmed that work-family conflict during the COVID-19 lockdown increased, leading to stress, burnout and fatigue for women in school leadership positions. Participating women revealed that, in order to balance work-family roles they had to make sacrifices. Some even had to sacrifice their ill children to attend to work-related matters. Hence, the days allocated by their employers for family responsibility were considered not enough considering the demands imposed by the COVID-19. Women went the extra mile and worked overtime to sustain their projects at work and family. Work schedules would keep things under control but were not permanently balanced as COVID-19 brought unpredictable circumstances. Women demand an equal share of home chores, and for their male counterparts to take up some of the home chores responsibility, instead of just supportive acts. The study recommends that gender discrimination should be incorporated into the school curriculum to frame a future gender-balanced society and for the department of education to work on ensuring flexible working hours through the use of technology.
Keywords: Work-family balance, patriarchal society, women in school leadership, work-family conflict, COVID-19