Insights about the barriers to achieve gender equality in the decision-making roles and power positions

Despite significant advancements in recent years, numerous barriers hinder the full participation and representation of women in higher influential domains. To effectively address the disparities and foster more inclusive and equitable societies, this article presents a literature review, examining the barriers that impede gender equality in decision-making roles and power positions. By shedding light on the complex dynamics and systemic challenges, it aims to contribute to the design of effective strategies for dismantling gender disparities. To investigate why women, struggle to fully advance along the corporate ladder, this study explores the contributing factors to gender inequality in the labor market at three levels: micro, meso, and macro level. Additionally, the article leverages the Varieties of Capitalism framework proposed by Hall and Soskice (2001) to gain insights at a macro level into how gender inequalities in the workplace are shaped and to understand the positioning of Italy within the international context while emphasizing the importance of empirical research to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Understanding the real-world experiences of individuals and organizations working towards gender equality is essential for developing effective strategies to overcome these obstacles and promote equitable representation.