Breaking the Glass Ceiling: A Comparative Study of Women's Career Progression in Public and Private Sector Universities in District Faisalabad

Abstract

This study looks at the continuation of the glass ceiling and how it affects women's professional development using a comparative, quantitative methodology in public and private Faisalabad educational institutions. Data from 200 faculty members—100 from the public sector and 100 from the private sector—was gathered by a survey. The study sought to identify particular barriers to women's educational advancement, including perceived limits of institutional support, mentoring availability, gender bias, and chances for professional development. Using independent samples t-tests and chi-square tests, a statistical analysis revealed notable variations in the viewpoints and experiences of female faculty members dealing with these problems at both kinds of institutions. Particularly, women in public universities reported more job stability but more institutional rigidity and gender-specific constraints, while respondents from the private sector reported relatively better access to mentorship but felt they had fewer advancement opportunities and higher job insecurity. To promote fair career advancement, these findings highlight the need for strong mentoring programs, open promotion processes, and gender-sensitive regulations. By making policy recommendations targeted at closing the gender gap in higher education institutions, this study adds to the expanding body of research on gender and leadership in academia.