Barriers to gender equality and their impact on the advancement of female social pedagogues to leadership positions in management

The master thesis focuses on female social pedagogues in management leadership positions and the impact of gender (mis)equality on their career path. The theoretical part presents theories on gender, gender roles and the socialisation of these roles. Women's social role and women's participation in the labour market are described as well. Furthermore, the legal basis relating to gender equality and barriers for women in management is presented. Finally, reforms and changes that could improve women's position in society and management are described. The aim of the master thesis is to learn about the career path of female social pedagogues in management positions and find out whether they have encountered any barriers along their way and how they have dealt with them. The empirical part presents six interviews with social pedagogues in management positions. The results of the study showed that, in relation with promotion, social pedagogues experience personal, subjective barriers that originate within themselves. They did not mention causes, related to the business structure or their working environment. Due to their education, they consider themselves well equipped with the competences to cope with career challenges. In their work, most of them use social pedagogical competences and skills to a great extent and management skills to a lesser extent. The study also shows that the interviewed women view barriers as challenges and that they do not discourage their desire for work and promotion