Shattering the Glass Ceiling: Barriers and Breakthroughs for Women in Leadership

Abstract

The under representation of women in executive roles in all professions is a persistent trend in the face of heightened awareness and efforts for gender equality. The literature review of women's success and woes of leadership, metaphorically referred to as the "glass ceiling," is provided in this article. Organizational and structural challenges in the guise of gender stereotyping, discriminatory behaviors, and lack of open channels of advancement continue to hinder the path ahead of women. These barriers are also supported by social and cultural expectations that maintain traditional gender identities and limit access to powerful networks and resources. Recent developments, however, bear testimony to the redemptive value of sponsorship, inclusive practice, mentoring, and empowered women's leadership in transcending barriers. Sector-specific differences and intersectional race and ethnicity considerations, which bear testimony to the multi-dimensionality of women's leadership experience, are also addressed. The article integrates the theoretical frameworks and the empirical evidence to give insight into effective factors for building gender-inclusive leadership. The article concludes by emphasizing the need for multi-dimensional interventions and further research to propel the empowerment of women towards leadership across the world.