Shattering the glass ceiling: (Re) reading the world economic forum report of 2017 on woman empowerment

Abstract

Empowerment of women has set on fire an awakening in women in which they have started to set their seats at the top of the table. In this age and time, there are more women in boardroom tables and even in the political arena than ever before. Women have become determined to push through the glass ceiling, and there are significant milestones that have been achieved in different fields that women have set their eyes on. The glass ceiling, however, just like a dark cloud still hovers over women and hinders their success. This paper is informed by the World Economic Forum report of 2017 which states that women have closed gender gaps in health and education areas. However, inequalities still burgeon in the workplace and also in politics. This paper aims to provide an introduction that discusses the concept of the glass ceiling, the reasons as to why the glass ceiling still exists in the workplace and politics, and the ways women can shatter the glass ceiling in finding their freedom that has no cloud of inhibitions. This paper concludes that women need support from other women, from organisations, from men and the society at large to shatter the glass ceiling or at least make cracks on the ceiling.