Maintaining a stable work-life balance need of the hour: G. Poonguzhali

G. Poonguzhali emphasizes importance of work-life balance for women, urging them to set boundaries and prioritize self-care.

Women should take up more responsibilities but should know where to draw the line and say ‘no’ to maintain a stable work-life balance, said G. Poonguzhali, Assistant Inspector General, Coastal Police.

Ms. Poonguzhali was delivering the inaugural address at a panel discussion of women media persons organised at St. Teresa’s College here in connection with the forthcoming 60th State meeting of the Kerala Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ) on Tuesday.

The challenges and complexities faced by women across all fields continue to remain a constant. Efforts to be put in and challenges faced by women and men in building their careers remain drastically different. Doubts are always raised about women who manage to rise beyond a point, she said.

Marriage further adds to the responsibilities of working women. Ms. Poonguzhali shared incidents of how lady officers approached her requesting for a couple of hours to tend to their sick children.

She urged women to have a plan of action and growth target in their career. “Having a healthy life is a very crucial part of work-life balance. Often working women ignore health issues. How many of you follow a healthy diet, engage in physical activities, and find time to pursue hobbies?” Ms. Poonguzhali asked the women in attendance.

“We should find time for ourselves. Time management and proper planning are very important for this. Women are bestowed with the talent to multi-task, and we must use it,” she said.

“It is important to start a day happily by doing things that we like and that will in turn help us take up challenges in our personal and professional lives. Build a friends’ circle that will listen without judging. Ventilating grievances is important. Being introspective is also important. We should be open-minded to realise our mistakes and not to repeat them. Mistakes when repeated become a habit,” said Ms. Poonguzhali.