A Study of the Impact of Glass Ceiling Effect on Women in the Higher Education Sector of India

Abstract

The Glass Ceiling is an invisible barrier that obstructs women from achieving top-level positions in both corporate and academic settings, despite having the same qualifications as men. Although we have made progress in achieving equal rights, gender bias persists in the workplace. Women experience discrimination regarding pay, promotion opportunities, and treatment. Additionally, women have to balance their work responsibilities with family duties, making it even more challenging. Women make up the majority of the teaching profession both in India and abroad, however, they are significantly underrepresented in managerial roles, according to statistics. Therefore, it is still a matter of concern that women are not well-represented in senior managerial roles within educational institutions. A review of studies on gender and leadership reveals that women face several obstacles when applying for leadership and management roles in the educational sector. This research paper aims to investigate the presence of the Glass Ceiling in higher education institutions in India and explore the factors contributing to it. The study surveyed 98 faculty members from higher educational institutions in the NCR Region, including Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, and Faridabad. The data was analyzed using SPSS, and the study found that the factors contributing to the Glass Ceiling could be divided into two categories, namely gender discrimination and male dominance. The study concludes that the Glass Ceiling is indeed present in the workplace, as evidenced by gender inequality in promotions, pay, recognition, and other socio-cultural factors. The respondents of the study recognized that affirmative action and diversity initiatives played a significant role in providing opportunities for women who aspire to hold upper leadership positions. The study also revealed that human resource training and policies required diverse hiring pools and more diversity in the composition of hiring committees. The findings of this study can help organizations and institutions take steps to eliminate the Glass Ceiling and create a more equitable work environment for all employees.