Beyond the Glass Ceiling: Women Participation in Decision Making in the Public Domain

Abstract

The 'glass ceiling' prevents women from reaching the highest decision making positions. In Sri Lanka too, data on representation of women at management levels confirm that they have yet to penetrate this barrier. This study examined factors constraining women’s upward career mobility based on experiences and perceptions of around 400 women and men in management in public and private sectors.

The study found the following impediments against upward career mobility of women.
(i)    adverse factors in work environment, negative attitudes of superior officials and political interference,
(ii)    problems in combining family and work responsibilities and absence of adequate family friendly policies in the workplace, and
(iii)    gender specific factors and gender based discrimination creating frustrations and barriers to upward mobility.

The study makes suggestions for a more gender equitable management culture in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Vol.1(2) Oct 2009

The ‘glass ceiling’ prevents women from reaching the highest decision making positions. In Sri Lanka too, data on representation of women at management levels confirm that they have yet to penetrate this barrier. This study examined factors constraining women’s upward career mobility based on experiences and perceptions of around 400 women and men in management in public and private sectors.

The study found the following impediments against upward career mobility of women.

(i)                 adverse factors in work environment, negative attitudes of superior officials and political interference ,

(ii)              problems in combining family and work responsibilities and absence of adequate family friendly policies in the workplace, and

(iii)            gender specific factors and gender based discrimination creating frustrations and barriers to upward mobility.

The study makes suggestions for a more gender equitable management culture in Sri Lanka.