Sketching Gender Dynamics: A Cartoonist's Take on Women’s Professional Journey from Boardrooms to Offices in Europe and South Asia

Abstract

The professional experiences of women in the Global North and Global South reveal a dynamic interplay of socio-cultural norms, organizational structures, and global forces. While Europe has advanced gender-equality policies, women still struggle to break through leadership barriers. In contrast, women in South Asia navigate deeply rooted societal expectations, limited opportunities, and institutional constraints, making career progression especially challenging. This paper offers a comparative analysis of women’s careers in Europe and South Asia, examining how cultural, societal, and organizational dynamics shape leadership pathways, gendered obstacles, and diversity initiatives. Using a qualitative approach, it employs four selected cartoons, two European, one Indian, and one Pakistani, as visual lenses within critical cultural gender studies framework. Findings show persistent inequities in both regions: European women face a glass ceiling, while South Asian women confront dual cultural and professional barriers. The paper argues for transformative organizational cultures, inclusive mentorship, and meaningful diversity beyond compliance.