The journey to truly empowering women in the professional world hits a significant roadblock long before they reach the office door. According to expert Shaifali Sandhya, the foundation for workplace equality must be laid within the walls of our own homes.
The Core Conflict in Modern Marriage
In an opinion piece last updated on 29 November 2025, author Shaifali Sandhya identifies a central tension crippling modern relationships. She argues that the biggest pressure on contemporary marriages stems from a fundamental mismatch. On one hand, we have new economic realities where women are increasingly prominent contributors to household incomes. On the other, society still largely operates on older, traditional gender scripts that dictate roles, power dynamics, and personal identity.
This clash creates an unsustainable dynamic. While women are expected to excel and build careers, they often return home to a second shift of domestic responsibilities and emotional labour that is not equally shared. This outdated division of labour governs not just who does the dishes, but also deeper aspects of partnership, including decision-making power and the freedom to pursue professional ambitions.
Why Home is the Starting Point for Change
Sandhya's analysis suggests that corporate diversity initiatives and government policies for women's empowerment can only go so far if the home environment remains unchanged. True empowerment requires a shift in the private sphere. When domestic duties and childcare are viewed as a shared responsibility, it alleviates the double burden many working women carry.
This redistribution of labour at home is crucial for enabling women to compete on a level playing field at work. It allows them the mental space, time, and energy to focus on career advancement, leadership roles, and continuous skill development without being perpetually exhausted by an unequal share of household management.
Moving Beyond Outdated Gender Scripts
The solution, as presented, lies in consciously rewriting the older gender scripts. This involves a collective effort from both partners to challenge ingrained norms about masculinity and femininity. It means re-evaluating what it means to be a provider, a caregiver, and a partner in the 21st century.
For modern marriages to thrive, a new contract is needed—one built on the pillars of mutual respect, shared responsibility, and economic partnership. By starting the empowerment process at home, we create a more solid and equitable foundation for women to succeed in every aspect of their lives, ultimately benefiting families, workplaces, and society as a whole.
