Breaking Barriers: The Hidden Challenges Limiting Women’s Advancement

By Esse Tunji-Joseph
December 11, 2025

Introduction: Women on the Rise — Yet Still Held Back

Globally, women have made remarkable progress over the last few decades. They lead nations, manage corporations, innovate in technology, and shape cultural narratives. Yet, despite these achievements, gender disparities persist. Women continue to face barriers — some visible, others hidden — that restrict their professional growth, economic independence, and social influence.

Breaking these barriers is not just about fairness; it is a strategic necessity. Societies and organizations that fully empower women reap higher productivity, innovation, and inclusive development.

This article explores the hidden challenges limiting women’s advancement, how they manifest, and strategies to dismantle them.

Part I: Structural Barriers — Systems That Hold Women Back

1. Gender Bias in the Workplace

Unconscious bias often shapes hiring, promotions, and project assignments. Women may be perceived as less assertive, less ambitious, or less competent in leadership roles, even when performance proves otherwise.

  • Studies show women are less likely to be promoted to executive roles.
  • Female leaders often need to prove competence repeatedly, while men are assumed capable.

2. Unequal Pay

The gender pay gap persists across industries. Women earn less than men for the same work, limiting financial independence and career satisfaction. This economic disparity reinforces systemic inequities and diminishes motivation.

3. Lack of Access to Leadership Opportunities

Boardrooms and top management positions remain disproportionately male. Networks, sponsorships, and mentorship often favor men, leaving women with fewer pathways to senior leadership.

Part II: Societal and Cultural Barriers

1. Traditional Gender Roles

Cultural expectations often assign women primary responsibility for household management and caregiving. Balancing professional growth with domestic responsibilities can limit opportunities for advancement.

2. Stereotypes and Expectations

Women are frequently judged more harshly for assertiveness or ambition. Traits celebrated in men, such as decisiveness, risk-taking, or competitiveness, may be criticized in women.

3. Social Stigma and Criticism

Women pursuing unconventional careers or leadership positions often face societal scrutiny. Fear of backlash can deter them from taking bold steps.

Part III: Psychological and Internal Barriers

1. Imposter Syndrome

Many women experience self-doubt and feel unworthy of success, despite achievements. Imposter syndrome can lead to hesitation in pursuing promotions, negotiating salaries, or taking risks.

2. Lack of Mentorship and Role Models

Seeing others succeed is crucial for ambition. Without access to mentors or visible female leaders, women may struggle to envision their own growth trajectory.

3. Internalized Gender Norms

Years of social conditioning may cause women to undervalue themselves or defer opportunities, unconsciously accepting limitations imposed by society.

Part IV: Hidden Organizational Barriers

1. Unequal Evaluation Criteria

Performance reviews often reward traits stereotypically associated with men and undervalue collaboration, empathy, or multitasking — traits where women often excel.

2. Exclusion from Networks

Professional networks and informal gatherings — where critical decisions and mentorship occur — may be male-dominated, leaving women on the periphery.

3. Inflexible Work Policies

Rigid work hours, lack of parental leave, and inadequate childcare support disproportionately affect women, reducing career mobility.

Part V: Breaking the Barriers — Strategies for Advancement

1. Mentorship and Sponsorship

Connecting women with mentors and sponsors accelerates career growth. Sponsors actively advocate for women in high-stakes projects, promotions, and leadership roles.

2. Policy Reform and Workplace Flexibility

Organizations can implement gender-sensitive policies:

  • Equal pay audits
  • Flexible working arrangements
  • Paid parental leave for both men and women
  • Leadership pipelines targeting women

3. Skills and Confidence Development

Women should be empowered through training in:

  • Negotiation and communication skills
  • Leadership and management techniques
  • Strategic thinking and innovation

4. Challenging Bias and Stereotypes

Creating awareness programs, unconscious bias training, and inclusive cultures ensures that women are evaluated fairly and equitably.

5. Building Networks

Women-only networks, professional associations, and peer support groups create platforms for mentorship, collaboration, and visibility.

Part VI: The Ripple Effect of Women’s Advancement

When women break barriers, the benefits extend far beyond the individual:

  • Economic Growth: Women in leadership drive profitability, innovation, and market expansion.
  • Social Impact: Empowered women mentor others, advocate for equality, and strengthen communities.
  • Organizational Success: Diverse leadership teams outperform homogeneous ones in decision-making and resilience.

Part VII: Inspiring Examples

  • Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala: Navigated global finance, breaking gender and cultural barriers to become the first female Director-General of the WTO.
  • Sheryl Sandberg: Advocated for women’s leadership and empowerment in tech and business.
  • Malala Yousafzai: Fought societal barriers to education, inspiring global advocacy for girls.

These examples demonstrate how determination, mentorship, and systemic support enable women to overcome obstacles and inspire others.

Conclusion: The Path Forward

Hidden challenges may slow women, but they are not insurmountable. Breaking barriers requires:

  • Awareness of structural, cultural, and psychological limitations
  • Supportive policies and workplace cultures
  • Mentorship, sponsorship, and networking opportunities
  • Cultivation of confidence, skills, and resilience

Empowering women to advance is not only a moral imperative; it is essential for economic growth, societal progress, and global innovation.

When women rise, organizations thrive. Communities prosper. Societies flourish. Breaking barriers for women is breaking barriers for the world.

The Power of Identity: Why Girls Must See Themselves Before Society Sees Them

Writer: Esse Tunji-Joseph

Introduction: The First Mirror a Girl Meets

A girl’s first understanding of herself begins long before she can speak in full sentences. From the moment she is born, she interprets the world through her parents’ expressions, the tones in their voices, the boundaries they set, and the subtle expectations they project. Long before she can tie her shoes, she begins learning the script society writes for girls — how she should behave, what she should aspire to, and who she should become.

Society holds up a mirror from the start. That mirror reflects what she should look like, how she should speak, what dreams are “acceptable,” and what ambitions are “appropriate.” Many girls grow into womanhood with reflections shaped not by their own inner selves but by external expectations placed upon them before they could choose for themselves.

But what if she were given a different mirror first? What if her earliest understanding of herself came from inner recognition of worth rather than external approval?

This is the power of identity — seeing yourself before society sees you. It transforms girls into leaders, innovators, creators, and changemakers. Identity forms the foundation of confidence, resilience, and purpose. Without it, girls inherit identities shaped by bias, stereotypes, and cultural constraints. With it, they become unshakable, unstoppable, and fully self-directed.

This article explores why identity matters, the societal forces that shape it, and the tools girls need to cultivate self-recognition before the world defines them.

Part I: Understanding Identity — Seeing Herself Before the World

Identity is more than self-esteem. Psychologists describe it as the internal narrative guiding how we see ourselves and how we believe the world sees us. For girls, identity forms early:

  • By age 3, gender expectations begin shaping self-perception.
  • By age 7, she observes who leads, who gets celebrated, and who is encouraged to take up space.
  • By age 10, studies show a dramatic decline in confidence — a phenomenon known as “the confidence drop.”

This happens because identity is often contaminated before it is cultivated. From an early age, girls are praised for being:

  • “Pretty”
  • “Quiet”
  • “Obedient”
  • “Polite”

Meanwhile, boys are praised for being:

  • “Curious”
  • “Brave”
  • “Inventive”
  • “Leaders”

Girls grow up believing their value lies in pleasing others, while boys are celebrated for potential and agency. True identity begins when a girl stops seeking external validation and starts asking herself:

  • Who am I when no one is watching?
  • What do I truly enjoy?
  • What strengths do I have that others may not see?
  • What do I believe about myself that society never taught me?

Identity becomes powerful only when self-chosen, not socially assigned.

Part II: Societal Mirrors — How External Forces Shape Identity

Family Influences — The First Voice

Families can either nurture or restrict a girl’s identity. Supportive environments that encourage autonomy, affirm feelings, and validate talents help girls trust themselves. Restrictive households that impose strict roles or expectations can teach girls to suppress their voices and limit ambition. Common scripts include:

  • Career expectations: “Girls should be nurses, not engineers.”
  • Behavioral expectations: “Good girls don’t speak too loudly.”
  • Personality expectations: “Be gentle, not bold.”

Schools and Teachers — Reinforcing Gender Norms

Teachers can unintentionally perpetuate stereotypes. Studies show boys are more frequently called on in STEM classes, reinforcing the idea that intelligence and leadership are masculine traits. Negative labeling (“you’re bossy”) can silence leadership potential.

Media and Entertainment — Curated Perfection

Television, movies, and social media bombard girls with unattainable ideals: flawless skin, slim bodies, filtered lifestyles. Constant comparison creates distorted self-images, where identity is built from illusion rather than truth.

Cultural and Religious Norms

Cultural expectations often prioritize modesty, obedience, marriage, and domestic roles. These norms can conflict with a girl’s internal desires, causing tension between personal identity and societal expectations.

Social Media — The Digital Identity Battlefield

For today’s girls, identity is constantly shaped online. Each “like,” “comment,” and “share” becomes a measure of worth. Digital validation can override real self-perception, creating fragmented, externally defined identities.

Part III: The Mirror Within — Building Inner Identity

Developing an internal sense of self allows a girl to resist societal distortions. Key components include:

  • Inner Awareness: Recognizing her talents, strengths, emotions, and boundaries.
  • Internal Validation: Trusting herself rather than seeking constant approval.
  • Self-Defined Purpose: Setting goals aligned with her values, not societal expectations.
  • Emotional Intelligence: Navigating feelings, managing stress, and responding to conflict effectively.

When girls see themselves first, they become the authors of their own stories.

Part IV: Adolescence — The Identity Storm

Adolescence is a critical period. Hormonal changes, peer pressure, academic expectations, and social media comparisons converge, creating insecurity, self-doubt, and body dissatisfaction.

Girls with strong internal identity:

  • Resist peer pressure
  • Choose friendships wisely
  • Stand up for themselves
  • Reject toxic trends

Girls without strong identity risk:

  • Harmful relationships
  • Mimicking influencers blindly
  • Engaging in risky behaviors
  • Losing their sense of self

The storm is inevitable, but identity serves as the anchor.

Part V: Identity as the Foundation for Leadership and Success

Every powerful woman was once a girl who saw herself before society did:

  • Oprah Winfrey: Transformed trauma into global influence.
  • Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala: Defied societal limitations to achieve global leadership.
  • Malala Yousafzai: Maintained identity stronger than fear.
  • Michelle Obama: Defined herself before the world defined her.

Girls with strong identity:

  • Speak boldly
  • Negotiate confidently
  • Dream without apology
  • Pursue nontraditional careers
  • Become innovators and leaders

Identity predicts leadership more than any skill. Breaking external ceilings requires first breaking internal limitations.

Part VI: Identity in the Digital Era

Digital identity presents unique challenges. Girls now navigate:

  • Real-world expectations
  • Online comparisons and pressures

Social media can amplify insecurities, but girls with strong identity use it intentionally rather than dependently. Digital literacy and self-awareness are essential tools for maintaining authentic identity.

Part VII: Practical Steps to Build Strong Identity

  1. Daily Reflection: Journaling, storytelling, and self-awareness exercises.
  2. Exploration: Encouraging hobbies, passions, talents, and leadership roles.
  3. Role Models: Exposure to women who reflect possibilities and achievements.
  4. Allow Failure: Letting girls fail safely strengthens resilience.
  5. Emotional Intelligence: Teaching girls to name, understand, and manage feelings.
  6. Critical Thinking: Questioning norms and challenging stereotypes.
  7. Confidence Through Competence: Building mastery and skills, not relying solely on praise.

Conclusion: When a Girl Sees Herself, the World Changes

Identity is the turning point in a girl’s life. It shapes:

  • How she thinks and dreams
  • How she loves and leads
  • How she fights and rises

A girl who sees herself first cannot be defined, limited, or silenced by society. She becomes a force. She changes the world.

When girls develop internal clarity, confidence, and purpose, they unlock their potential to lead, innovate, and inspire a generation. Empowering girls to see themselves first is empowering society as a whole.