Breaking the glass ceiling

Welcome to the Women Breaking Barrier blog

Welcome to my blog born from the challenges, frustrations, and untold realities of senior-level female professionals in a male-dominated world. Despite decades of progress, gender biases persist in the workplace. They shape the rules women must navigate to succeed. These are the rules no one teaches us. Sometimes we even endorse them ourselves. Most people are oblivious to the unique rules for women. That includes career experts. The rules that differ profoundly from the advice often marketed to professionals as if the playing field is equal. It’s not. Ignoring these realities doesn’t just hold women back; it can actively work against us.

This blog is here to shed light on the unique challenges faced by women in leadership and provide the tools, strategies, and insights needed to break through the barriers. I hope to inspire, educate, and empower women like you who are navigating a complex world of gender biases, societal expectations, and personal ambitions.

Why this blog (still) exists

The gender gap in leadership remains a reality. Women are still paid less than men for doing the same work while often shouldering higher expenses. Consider this: men don’t have to navigate dress codes that demand frequent outfit changes, endure the cost of stockings or menstruation products, or deal with the infamous pink tax that inflates the price of products marketed to women. Financially, women not only start at a disadvantage but are also less likely to invest or receive adequate financial advice, further exacerbating long-term inequities.

Yet, these financial gaps are just one piece of the puzzle. The workplace itself is rife with unspoken challenges. Women are expected to be competent yet warm, assertive but not “bossy.” Add to this the silent revolution happening among women in their 40s and 50s: a growing number are leaving the workforce, pushed out by a toxic combination of a patriarchal system, gendered ageism, and the midlife pinch points of caregiving, menopause, and self-reinvention.

Menopause, in particular, is a subject too often ignored in workplace discussions. Women in their 40s and beyond face symptoms like brain fog, fatigue, and hot flashes, which can severely impact their productivity and confidence. And yet, there’s little recognition or support for this phase of your professional life. It’s one more layer of discrimination that leaves women fighting battles others don’t even see.

The objectives of this blog

I create the blog to allow you to break the glass ceiling, break self-limiting beliefs and break the silence. Here’s what I aim to achieve:

1. Shine a Light on Gender Bias in the Workplace:
   This blog will explore how societal expectations, gender bias, and patriarchal structures shape women’s experiences at work. I’ll share insights into how these forces operate and, most importantly, how you can navigate them strategically.
2. Empower Women with Practical Advice:
   From financial empowerment to leadership skills tailored for women, I’ll share actionable advice that reflects the real-world challenges female professionals face. This isn’t generic career advice—it’s guidance grounded in the lived realities of women in leadership.
3. Support Women Facing Midlife Career Challenges:
   Whether you’re navigating menopause, feeling squeezed by caregiving responsibilities, or rethinking your career in your 40s and 50s, this blog will offer strategies to help you thrive during this pivotal stage of life.
4. Close the Wealth Gap:
   Women often do less with their money—not because they lack capability, but because societal norms and inadequate advice leave them hesitant to invest. I’ll provide resources to help you build financial independence and confidence.
5. Challenge the Status Quo:
   Ultimately, this blog is about more than individual success; it’s about changing the systems that hold women back. By sharing stories, amplifying voices, and advocating for change, I hope to contribute to a future where breaking the glass ceiling isn’t a personal struggle but a relic of the past.

Let me be clear: I hope this blog becomes obsolete one day. I hope we reach a point where women don’t have to work twice as hard to prove their competence, where menopause isn’t a taboo topic at work, and where senior-level women no longer feel pushed out by ageism and inequity.

But until then, this blog is here to serve as a resource, a guide, and a source of inspiration for women determined to break through. It’s a place to share hard truths, celebrate successes, and strategise solutions. Whether you’re looking to advance your career, manage workplace challenges, or simply find solidarity in a community of ambitious women, Breaking the Glass Ceiling is here for you.

Breaking the glass ceiling is not just about climbing the corporate ladder—it’s about creating a world where women are valued equally, supported holistically, and empowered to lead unapologetically. Together, we can rewrite the rules and pave the way for future generations.

Join the poll from time to time. Your voice matters. Let’s empower one another. Let’s shatter that ceiling, together.

Thank you for being here,
Kirande
November 2024