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A Phenomenological Inquiry of Afghan Women and Leadership: Assessing Factors Influencing Female Professionals' Career Success in Afghanistan

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Title: A Phenomenological Inquiry of Afghan Women and Leadership: Assessing Factors Influencing Female Professionals' Career Success in Afghanistan
Language: English
Authors: Afghan Ahmadzai, Abid Momand, Syed Zulkifal, Bahaudin G. Mujtaba
Source: Educational Planning. 2025 32(1):97-116.
Availability: International Society for Educational Planning. 2903 Ashlawn Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24060. Tel: 770-833-1948; Web site: http://isep.info/educational-planning-journal
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 20
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Women Administrators, Females, Leadership, Social Attitudes, Sex Role, Gender Bias, Equal Opportunities (Jobs), Intervention, Equal Education, Career Development, Success, Barriers, Work Environment, Social Influences, Political Influences
Geographic Terms: Afghanistan
ISSN: 1537-873X
Abstract: This study explored the understanding of societal factors influencing women's leadership positions in the public sector of Afghanistan from 2001 to 2021, with a specific focus on the Independent General Directorate of Kuchis (IGDK). The semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven women occupying diverse positions within the governmental agency of IGDK in Afghanistan. The Glass Ceiling Theory has been used as an academic lens for this study. Moreover, thematic analysis has been applied for data analysis regarding qualitative interviews. The study resulted in several factors that had the greatest influence on women's career advancement, including organizational, social, individual, and national levels due to lack of political stability. The findings highlight the persistence of societal norms that prescribe specific roles for men and women which limit women's opportunities for advancement. The impact of traditional gender roles and expectations, as well as education and workplace discrimination, on women's career progression, were identified as major themes of the study. Moreover, based on the findings of this study, gender disparities in education and workplace discrimination contributes to unequal pay and limited managerial employment options for women. The study aligns with existing seminal literature and offers practical measures for promoting gender equality and women's leadership, including targeted interventions to challenge traditional gender norms, equal access to quality education, workplace diversity initiatives, and policy reforms that support gender mainstreaming. The study concludes with recommendations for policymakers and organizations to enhance women's leadership opportunities, emphasizing the importance of capacity building, collaboration, and long-term monitoring and evaluation. By implementing these recommendations, the public sector of Afghanistan can make significant strides toward achieving gender equality in leadership positions and fostering a more inclusive society.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1466513
Database: ERIC
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  Label: Title
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  Data: A Phenomenological Inquiry of Afghan Women and Leadership: Assessing Factors Influencing Female Professionals' Career Success in Afghanistan
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Afghan+Ahmadzai%22">Afghan Ahmadzai</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Abid+Momand%22">Abid Momand</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Syed+Zulkifal%22">Syed Zulkifal</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Bahaudin+G%2E+Mujtaba%22">Bahaudin G. Mujtaba</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Educational+Planning%22"><i>Educational Planning</i></searchLink>. 2025 32(1):97-116.
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  Data: International Society for Educational Planning. 2903 Ashlawn Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24060. Tel: 770-833-1948; Web site: http://isep.info/educational-planning-journal
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Afghanistan%22">Afghanistan</searchLink>
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– Name: Abstract
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  Group: Ab
  Data: This study explored the understanding of societal factors influencing women's leadership positions in the public sector of Afghanistan from 2001 to 2021, with a specific focus on the Independent General Directorate of Kuchis (IGDK). The semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven women occupying diverse positions within the governmental agency of IGDK in Afghanistan. The Glass Ceiling Theory has been used as an academic lens for this study. Moreover, thematic analysis has been applied for data analysis regarding qualitative interviews. The study resulted in several factors that had the greatest influence on women's career advancement, including organizational, social, individual, and national levels due to lack of political stability. The findings highlight the persistence of societal norms that prescribe specific roles for men and women which limit women's opportunities for advancement. The impact of traditional gender roles and expectations, as well as education and workplace discrimination, on women's career progression, were identified as major themes of the study. Moreover, based on the findings of this study, gender disparities in education and workplace discrimination contributes to unequal pay and limited managerial employment options for women. The study aligns with existing seminal literature and offers practical measures for promoting gender equality and women's leadership, including targeted interventions to challenge traditional gender norms, equal access to quality education, workplace diversity initiatives, and policy reforms that support gender mainstreaming. The study concludes with recommendations for policymakers and organizations to enhance women's leadership opportunities, emphasizing the importance of capacity building, collaboration, and long-term monitoring and evaluation. By implementing these recommendations, the public sector of Afghanistan can make significant strides toward achieving gender equality in leadership positions and fostering a more inclusive society.
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 20
        StartPage: 97
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Women Administrators
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Females
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Leadership
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social Attitudes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Sex Role
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Gender Bias
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Equal Opportunities (Jobs)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Intervention
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Equal Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Career Development
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Success
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Barriers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Work Environment
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social Influences
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Political Influences
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Afghanistan
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: A Phenomenological Inquiry of Afghan Women and Leadership: Assessing Factors Influencing Female Professionals' Career Success in Afghanistan
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            NameFull: Abid Momand
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