Navigating cultural and structural barriers to leadership: a comparative analysis of gender equality in Austria and Greece

This paper empirically analyses the cultural and structural barriers to female leadership in Austria and Greece within the broader framework of European Union (EU) gender equality policies. Through semi-structured interviews with female leaders and human resource experts and secondary data analysis, the study highlights the persistent challenges of the glass ceiling, the gender pay gap, and traditional gender roles in both countries. While Austria demonstrates progress with more supportive organisational structures, structural barriers remain significant. In contrast, Greece struggles with deeply entrenched cultural norms that hinder women's advancement in leadership roles. The study provides recommendations for policy improvements, organisational reforms, and future research directions to foster gender equality in leadership across the EU.