Authors - Ronil Manohar, Melita Simoes, Arogyaswamy Karadi Abstract - Today’s competitive jobs demand a sturdy balance between personal and professional life. Women are an integral part of the current workforce including academics wherein achieving a sustainable work-life integration is a critical challenge in the ever evolving dynamic workplaces despite institutional reforms, growing attention to gender equity and women empowerment. This study highlights the role of work-life balance, mental well-being, and organizational support structures among 103 women professionals that include teaching and non teaching fraternity in educational institutions across Hubli-Dharwad. According to reports, a substantial proportion of respondents, mostly Millennials and Generation Z, struggle to maintain balance, resulting in medical illnesses, stress, burnout, and disturbances in family life. These issues frequently result in lower productivity, job satisfaction and can hamper career progression and leadership aspirations, emphasizing the critical need for effective measures to help women achieve a sustainable work-life balance. This study employs a quantitative approach that made use of a structured data collection through a well drafted questionnaire which aims to explore the perception of women on work-life balance, mental health, and personal empowerment along with understanding the role of equitable policies, anti-harassment frameworks, as well as the implementation of flexible and inclusive work environments that promote a gender-balanced leadership wherein the needs and voice of women employees are addressed.
