Psychological counseling and social work intervention to reduce the stress of employed women- රැකියා නියුක්ත කාන්තාවන්ගේ ආතතිය අවම කිරීම සඳහා මනෝ උපදේශන හා සමාජ වැඩ මැදිහත්වීම

the 18th and 19th centuries, feminist ideology emerged globally as a response to the oppression of women under patriarchy and the violation of their rights. The primary aim of feminism is to liberate women from such conditions. A key characteristic of feminism is the effort to bring about social change to ensure that women have equal rights, resources, and opportunities as men. Feminism emphasizes granting women the right to participate actively and equally, without barriers, just like men.
The struggle to secure women’s rights through feminist political movements extended into the 20th century and beyond, achieving victories such as reproductive rights, maternity leave, equal pay, protection against sexual harassment and domestic violence, and rights concerning sexual activities. Feminist movements continue to work toward eliminating inequalities that still persist.
This research is an exploratory study aimed at reducing work-related stress among employed women through social work and counseling interventions. For this study, four garment factories located in the Koggala Export Processing Zone in Sri Lanka were selected. These factories collectively employ around 4,500 workers, and from this group, a sample of 100 female workers (10%) working in the production section was selected for the study.
Female workers in garment factories experience psychological stress due to various issues such as physical and mental illness, domestic violence, family problems, lack of motivation, feelings of fatigue, anxiety, responsibilities within nuclear families, alcoholic spouses, work overload, the need to send children to school, transportation difficulties, and personal relationships.
As a result of this mental stress, their capacity for positive empowerment is diminished. However, with the right positive reinforcement, these women have the potential to become influential within their communities. To address the challenges they face due to existing barriers, the intervention of a skilled professional is essential. Notably, only professionally trained social workers and psychological counselors can provide structured and effective intervention. Through their professional and sector-based intervention, this group can be relieved from mental stress and empowered, thereby minimizing occupational stress and fostering positive empowerment.