The glass ceiling – Who creates it? Who reinforces it?

The Amazons – a powerful tribe of women, the daughters of Ares, the god of war. They were thought to dwell at the edge of the so-called civilized world, and (being so uncivilized) welcomed men only for the purpose of breeding. According to myth and legend, they mutilated themselves, denying parts of their femininity. In some respect, the study alludes to this perception that only those who choose to belong to the “boys’ club” will succeed.

One of the aspects, however, which the study skirts around, diplomatically, it is not only men who create the glass ceiling. A Ted Talk by Lilly Singh in 2021 (“A Seat at the Table” isn’t the Solution for Gender Equity) observes that, if you want to be inclusive, a person should not be given a seat of straw until they have proven that they deserve a wooden one (which doesn’t have splinters or a wobbly leg). So who truly determines that the woman deserves only a seat of straw, or when she will deserve a proper seat? Who determines where the glass ceiling is? 

The unpalatable answer? 

Or at least the observed behaviour indicates that it is not always the opposite gender. Women, despite being encouraged to empower and include their so-called sisters, often perpetuate their oppression. Sibling squabbles are often the result of a power play. A one-up (wo)manship, if you like, means that women are often far more critical of other women than their male counterparts would be. The very human thought process seems to be, I clawed my way to the top, I bumped my head against this glass ceiling and everybody else should do the same. By no means am I denying that the traditional male-dominated nature of most industries has left its oppressive footprint. I am conscious, however, that continuing to assign blame to men is just as much of a gender stereotype as the caregiver/homemaker/mother mould. 

How do we move forward? 

How do we (men, women, and non-binary) strip ourselves of our prejudices, our character flaws, and the baser aspects of our humanity? Realistically, there is no simple solution. However, we can make a start, and, as the study highlights, there has been progress (more flexible working solutions, prioritisation of female education, and identifying the value that is added by diverse types of skill sets). It is important to note that glass is mutable, glass can crack, and glass can break. 

Let us acknowledge that we need to tackle this on multiple levels and that it is an ongoing process. 

Where can we start laying the foundation for a generation which can start changing the shape and nature of the ceiling?

• Place greater emphasis on early-education initiatives.
• Facilitate the development of young minds, using easily accessible tools: Media content is not the big bad wolf it is sometimes portrayed to be. Appropriately harnessed, YouTube is a wonderful tutor (learning to re-do the grouting on my tiles was an eye-opener).
• Continue to implement school-feeding schemes. Hunger stifles curiosity.
• Expand the programmes which provide menstrual products for young women so that they can stay in school without disrupting their education.

Where can we, currently bumping our heads against the glass ceiling, start having an impact?

• Let us set aside our squabbles and our he-said/she-said arguments.
• Continue to beat our fists against the glass ceiling: Agitate for gender parity as much as we do for racial inclusion.
• Make our voices heard and ask for changes such as flexitime and workplace child-care initiatives.
• Demand that our companies participate in female-focused internships and bursary programmes. 

Where can those of us who made it to “the other side of the glass,” make a difference?

• We can make a noise by stamping our feet on the glass ceiling.
• Let us support, mentor and engage, regardless of race or gender or preconceived ideas.
• We need to advocate for a meritocratic environment, one in which skills are appropriately identified, developed, and harnessed. 

It is not a perfect roadmap. It is not a wrecking ball which will shatter the glass ceiling. It will, however, see the glass ceiling eventually disappear. 

Lastly, let us check our egos at the door. Do not be an Amazon, proverbially cutting off our nose to spite our face.