The tragic death of 26-year-old Chartered Accountant Anna Sebastian Perayil has shaken many, spotlighting the immense pressure young professionals, particularly women, face in India’s fast-paced work environments. Anna’s passing is not just a personal loss but a reflection of the unspoken struggles that many women professionals endure daily.
In India, the expectations placed on young women in fields like IT, media, and scientific research are exceptionally high. They are often expected to perform in environments that remain largely male-dominated, and the sheer volume of work compounds the difficulty of their journey. Recent data highlights a glaring reality: women in these professions work some of the longest hours globally. In 2023, women in IT and media averaged 56.5 hours per week, while those in scientific and technical fields worked around 53.2 hours per week. Young women, particularly those between the ages of 15 and 24, tend to work even longer hours, with averages reaching 57 hours in IT and media. These statistics paint a troubling picture of burnout and mental health risks.
The relentless demands placed on these young women do not just stem from the quantity of work but also the nature of their workplace environments. In many instances, they have to constantly prove their competence in spaces where gender bias runs deep. The fight for recognition, coupled with the expectation to deliver excellence under pressure, exacerbates their struggles. For many, the road to success comes at the cost of mental well-being.
Anna’s tragic death should act as a wake-up call, urging us to rethink how work-life balance is perceived and implemented in corporate India. It is critical to acknowledge that the issue goes beyond workload—it’s also about the emotional labor women perform in navigating a system that does not fully embrace gender equality. The lack of adequate support structures, both formal and informal, leaves many young women feeling isolated, contributing to rising levels of anxiety, depression, and burnout.
While companies across sectors have introduced various wellness initiatives, these often remain surface-level or poorly enforced. Mentorship programs, which could provide invaluable guidance to young women, are still few and far between, especially in male-dominated fields. Even when such programs exist, they rarely address the specific challenges that women face in the workplace. Meanwhile, the lack of flexible working hours and insufficient attention to mental health resources compounds the problem.
Organisations must take the lead in transforming workplace culture, not only by offering mental health resources but also by fostering environments where women feel supported and valued. Gender bias should be actively dismantled, and policies should be designed to ease the burden of overwork. Flexible hours, mentorship, and clear career pathways can go a long way in empowering women to thrive without compromising their well-being.
Anna Sebastian Perayil’s story, while deeply tragic, has ignited an important conversation about the unseen battles many young women face in their professional lives. It’s time for organisations and society at large to take meaningful action to address these systemic issues. If we are serious about creating a fair and equitable workplace, we must prioritise mental health, recognize the unique challenges faced by women, and work toward a healthier work culture where all can thrive.