Author Information
Soula Kyriakou, International Executive School, FranceFrank Naboulsi, International Executive School, France
Zina Kyriakou, International Executive School, France
Jimmy Naipaul, International Executive School, France
Abstract
In Guyana, a developing nation in South America, traditional gender norms significantly influence societal roles and expectations for both women and men. These norms often position men as primary decision-makers and breadwinners, while women are frequently relegated to supportive roles. Despite legal frameworks promoting gender equality, the impact of these norms on women’s experiences in the workplace in Guyana, especially in leadership positions, remains underexplored. This study explores the lived experiences of women in leadership roles within Guyana’s education sector. Employing a phenomenological approach, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven women leaders. The analysis revealed three key themes: First, participants faced significant barriers to leadership due to cultural beliefs associating leadership with masculinity. Many noted that societal perceptions portraying women as overly emotional or ill-suited for leadership reinforce expectations that they prioritize family over career, ultimately hindering professional advancement. Second, participants described ongoing conflict and marginalization from male colleagues, who frequently dismissed their contributions and reinforced the perception of leadership as a male domain. Third, resilience emerged as a central theme, with participants emphasizing the importance of familial support in resisting gendered expectations and navigating their leadership trajectories. These findings highlight the need for systemic change to address persistent gender disparities in educational leadership in Guyana and to foster an environment where women’s contributions are fully recognized and supported.
Paper Information
Conference: PCE2025Stream: Educational policy
This paper is part of the PCE2025 Conference Proceedings (View)
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To cite this article:
Kyriakou S., Naboulsi F., Kyriakou Z., & Naipaul J. (2025) Breaking Barriers: Experiences of Women Leaders in Guyana’s Education Sector ISSN: 2758-0962 The Paris Conference on Education 2025: Official Conference Proceedings (pp. 257-274) https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2758-0962.2025.20
To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2758-0962.2025.20
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