The barries that inhibit woman from breaking the glass ceiling in the South African public service

Abstract

The end of the apartheid era in South Africa presented the new government with a myriad of challenges. This involved massive transformation, whilst ushering in a regulatory framework of enabling legislation to give effect to the country's fledgling Constitution. One of the transformational priorities was to address gender equality. Despite legislative imperatives having been instituted, gender equity targets are not being met, nor are affirmative action programmes being implemented to their fullest to facilitate and support gender equality. This research investigates the barriers that inhibit women from breaking the glass ceiling in the South African public service. The research paradigm was exploratory, using qualitative techniques and the results are largely descriptive. Secondary information was obtained from literature and information available. Multiple case studies were conducted using five subjects who were representative of the target population. The overarching purpose of this study was to investigate and understand the barriers that inhibit women from breaking the glass ceiling in the South African public service. The concept of the glass ceiling is defined as the invisible barrier that blocks women from advancing to senior management positions. The study proposes and considers various issues that may have an impact on upward mobility for women. A review of literature reveals that barriers exist as a worldwide occurrence and these prevent women from upward mobility. Justification for this research is twofold: there has been no such study to date; and gender equality is not being achieved and affirmative action programmes have not been fully implemented. The findings of the study provide a deeper understanding of the barriers that prevent women from career progression in the South African public service. Recommendations are made to address this issue