Gender Mainstreaming Policies Affecting Career Development within the Public Sector: A Case Study of the Macao Public Security Police Force

This study examines the implementation of gender mainstreaming policies in the context of career development within the Macao Public Security Police Force. It analyzes the interaction between institutional policies and socio-cultural contexts in this traditionally maledominated profession, employing the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to investigate the influence of Attitude, Subjective Norms, and Perceived Behavioral Control on career development processes. Using a qualitative approach, the study analyzes 16 in-depth interviews (8 male and 8 female officers) from various ranks and divisions. The findings indicate that, although incremental progress has been made through measures such as flexible work arrangements and extended parental leave, deeply rooted gender biases and traditional role stereotypes continue to present significant structural and cultural challenges. Police officers consistently express a need to reduce systemic barriers, such as gendered task allocation, and to strengthen support for work-life balance. Through the integration of local contextual analysis and global gender mainstreaming practices, the study identifies several potential new factors, e.g., Empathy, Self-awareness, Power Enhancement, and Courage, that moderate individuals’ behavioral intentions regarding the adoption of gender mainstreaming policies. These factors extend the TPB framework and provide cross-contextual insights to improve gender-inclusive practices in male-dominated public sectors globally.