The Three Barriers® to Women’s Progression – 3rd Edition
This 3rd edition report will help you understand and break down the systemic barriers to women’s career progression. You will access actionable recommendations and equip your organisation to accelerate gender equity.
Despite decades of progress, women remain significantly underrepresented in leadership roles across every sector. The Three Barriers® model identifies the societal, organisational, and personal barriers that continue to hold women back – and offers practical, evidence-based solutions for organisations ready to change.
This 3rd edition of our research is the most comprehensive yet, drawing on 7,500+ voices, 95+ external references, and updated global data. It highlights how outdated structures, unconscious bias, and inequitable cultures combine to restrict women’s advancement – and what leaders can do to dismantle them.
What you’ll learn in this report
- The three categories of barriers: societal, organisational, and personal
- The sub-barriers (such as stereotypes, sponsorship gaps, flexibility stigma, and the likeability penalty) that reinforce inequality
- Shape Talent (2024) found 53% of women report barriers linked to gender role stereotypes
- For every 100 men promoted, only 81 women are – and just 54 Black women (McKinsey, 2024).
- Shape Talent (2024) found 39% of women say caregiving responsibilities affect career progression
- How these barriers impact women differently across race, age, disability, and LGBTQ+ identities
- Shape Talent (2024) found 27% of women lack access to sponsorship, rising to 33% for Black women.
- Shape Talent (2024) found 64% of Black women and 61% of disabled women report microaggressions at work.
- Black women are three times more likely than white women to aspire to senior leadership roles – but are significantly less likely to be promoted or supported on that journey (McKinsey-Lean In, 2023)
- Practical, evidence-based recommendations for organisations to level the playing field
- How Shape Talent works with organisations to diagnose, debias, and accelerate women’s progression
Take the next step
Gender equity doesn’t just happen. It takes evidence, commitment, and systemic action.
Download the Three Barriers® Report (3rd Edition) and start dismantling barriers in your organisation today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are the Three Barriers® to women’s progression?
A. The Three Barriers® model groups the obstacles into societal barriers (e.g. caregiving expectations, stereotypes), organisational barriers (e.g. biased processes, lack of sponsorship, inflexible cultures), and personal barriers (e.g. confidence penalties, negotiation backlash, likeability double bind). Each barrier interacts with the others, reinforcing systemic inequality.
Q. Why is this research important?
A. Women make up nearly half the workforce but remain underrepresented in leadership roles. Our research shows these gaps are not due to ambition or ability, but systemic barriers. Addressing them unlocks not only fairness but also stronger business performance, innovation, and profitability.
Q. Who is this report for?
A. This report is for business leaders, HR professionals, DEI specialists, policymakers, and change-makers who want to:
- Understand the root causes of gender inequality
- Access credible, evidence-based data
- Take practical steps to accelerate women into leadership
Q. How is this edition different?
A. The 3rd edition expands the evidence base with global data and over 95 references, including research on intersectionality — showing how gender inequality compounds with race, disability, sexuality, and age. It’s the most up-to-date, practical guide for organisations serious about change.
Q. How can organisations use this research?
A.
- As a diagnostic tool to understand barriers in their workplace
- To inform gender equity strategy and policy design
- To shape inclusive leadership and talent acceleration programmes
- To benchmark progress and track impact