The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) Women, Kaduna State University (KASU) Branch, held an empowering seminar on Wednesday, 16th July 2025, aimed at equipping women with practical strategies to manage stress and achieve a better balance between work and home life. The seminar, themed “Effective Strategies for Balancing Career Women’s Home/Work Issues for Empowerment and Sustainable Development,” brought together all female members from various faculties and units of the institution.
The event opened with a warm welcome from the KASU SSANU Women Coordinator, Mrs. Victoria Mairafi, who acknowledged the vital roles women play in society as caregivers, professionals, mothers, and leaders. She emphasized the importance of such gatherings in reminding women of the need to prioritize self-care, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and build supportive communities to navigate the mounting pressures of modern life.
In her remarks, the Vice Chairman of SSANU KASU Branch, Mrs. Rebecca Akapson, commended the women’s wing for organizing the maiden seminar. She described the initiative as timely and commendable, encouraging participants to take the lessons seriously and apply them both at work and at home. Mrs. Akapson also advised career women to strive for balance between their professional and domestic responsibilities, stressing that such equilibrium is essential for personal fulfillment, family harmony, and professional growth.
Delivering the seminar lecture, Dr. Ayodele A. Omengala addressed key stressors faced by career women in the academic environment, including the unequal distribution of household responsibilities, lack of spousal support, challenges in raising children, workplace conflicts, poor office amenities, and systemic denial of rights such as promotions and study leave.
Dr. Omengala highlighted that while KASU was established in 2004 to provide quality higher education and foster holistic development, the institution’s vision cannot be fully realized without empowering the women who contribute significantly to its mission.
She proposed a number of strategies to help female staff achieve a healthy work-life balance. These include using weekly planners to manage tasks, hiring trained childcare providers, practicing financial discipline, avoiding gossip and conflict in the workplace, and applying empathy and effective communication at work and at home. Time management and mastering conflict resolution techniques were also emphasized as crucial tools for reducing stress and enhancing productivity.
Recommendations from the paper called for greater attention to child welfare, especially for at-risk children, and more proactive use of conflict resolution techniques such as de-escalation and collaborative problem-solving in both domestic and professional settings.
The seminar created a safe and supportive space for women to share experiences and learn from one another, reinforcing the message that stress is manageable and does not have to hinder personal or professional growth.
The Deputy Registrar, Student Affairs Division, Mrs. Florence Suleiman, gave the closing remarks and vote of thanks.
Participants left the event renewed and better equipped to face their dual responsibilities, with many applauding the university and SSANU KASU Women Wing for organizing such a timely and impactful initiative.
The seminar concluded on a high note, with a call for women to continue supporting one another, prioritize their well-being, and remember that taking care of themselves is not selfish; it is essential for sustainable development, both at home and in the workplace.