Women’s Pathways to Power: Cracking the Glass Ceiling provides an interdisciplinary study of the lingering impediments obstructing women’s access to power to attain democratic equality, comprising the work of eminent women scholars from diverse fields and regions.
This book addresses women's inequality within a world shaped by men, whilst outlining the significant strides in gender equity and presents clear pathways toward achieving equality — highlighting the progress women have made across diverse settings from the Asia Pacific to the Global South — offering bold solutions to shatter the glass ceiling. In documenting both the challenges and achievements in the journey toward women's empowerment, the book makes a significant contribution to the story of women and power in the 21st century. In an era where women have made remarkable strides in education, employment, and politics in democracies, the pervasive gender gaps in key power spheres persist – in politics and leadership, the workplace, and within the home.
This book will appeal to scholars and students in disciplines such as politics, sociology, and gender studies, but also to legislators, political leaders, and policy makers looking to understand what is possible and how. It speaks to women, especially women who dare to challenge accepted democratic and societal norms.
Table of Contents:
Chapter One. Understanding the barriers to women's power Andrea Carson, Leah Ruppanner, Emily Foley and Phoebe Hayman SECTION ONE —leadership and politics —public life Chapter Two - Leadership Pitfalls and Opportunities: Falling from the Glass Cliff or Enjoying the Comfort of the Glass Cushion Elise Stephenson, Ligia Oliveira-Silva, Alexandra Fisher, Gosia Mikolajczak, Michelle Ryan Chapter Three - Hate Speech and Women’s Political Participation Anjalee de Silva Chapter 4 - Gender Equality in the Parliament of Victoria? The Long, Unfinished Road to a Gender-Sensitive Parliament Amy Nethery, Peter Ferguson, and Zim Nwokora SECTION TWO - Employment —work life Chapter Five - A Glass Ceiling in Law: Retirement Age Discrimination in Vietnam and its Impact on Women’s Leadership in the Public Administration Lucy Quinn and Ramona Vijeyarasa Chapter Six - Decolonizing Entrepreneurship: An Intersectional Perspective for Empowerment and Emancipation of Women in Africa and Latin America Heila Magali Silva Veiga, Ligia Carolina Oliveira-Silva, Aleida Mendes Borges, Olívia Pillar Perez Miziara, Raíssa Bárbara Nunes Moraes Andrade Chapter Seven - Hiring in the Age of AI: Job Criteria (1) Be a Man; and (2) Be Masculine Sheilla Njoto SECTION THREE—the home—personal lives Chapter Eight - The Care Factor Emma Dawson Chapter Nine - The Continual Gender Revolution in Australia: Progress towards egalitarian attitudes in work, care and political leadership Kate Dangar, Brendan Churchill Chapter Ten - The Way Forward Leah Ruppanner, Emily Foley, Andrea Carson and Phoebe Hayman
About the Author :
Prof. Andrea Carson is Associate Dean (HUSS Research, Industry and Engagement) and Professor of Political Communication at La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia. She is the Chair of the Australian Political Studies Association and a Women’s Leadership Institute Australia Fellow. Her work focuses on women’s representation and participation in politics, the role of online speech on women’s political participation, and mis and disinformation and electoral integrity.
Review :
"This important interdisciplinary book on women and power skilfully brings together analysis of the public worlds of politics and work with consideration of familial caring commitments to demonstrate what has stalled, where there is progress, and whose responsibility it is to ensure there is equity for future generations of women."
Professor Ariadne Vromen, Head, Division of Political & International Studies, School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Glasgow
"Despite decades of targeted feminist policy, gender inequality remains pervasive and pernicious around the world. Taking an innovative approach that speaks to policy makers as well as scholars, this excellent and timely collection considers diverse women’s lived experiences and contributions to work, home, and public life, to identify new solutions."
Dr Sonia Palmieri, Associate Professor, Department of Pacific Affairs, Australian National University
