Exploring the Underlying Barriers for the Successful Transition for Women from Higher Education to Employment in Egypt: A Focus Group Study

Muhammad Qasim Rana (), Shadia Fahim, Mohammed Saad, Angela Lee, Olugbenga Timo Oladinrin and Lekan Damilola Ojo ()
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Muhammad Qasim Rana: School of Built Environment, University College of Estate Management, Reading RG1 4BS, UK
Shadia Fahim: Faculty of Arts and Human Sciences, British University in Egypt, Cairo 11837, Egypt
Mohammed Saad: Faculty of Arts and Human Sciences, British University in Egypt, Cairo 11837, Egypt
Angela Lee: School of Built Environment, University College of Estate Management, Reading RG1 4BS, UK
Olugbenga Timo Oladinrin: Built Environment Department, School of Art, Design and Architecture, University of Plymouth, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK
Lekan Damilola Ojo: Department of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China

Social Sciences, 2024, vol. 13, issue 4, 1-17

Abstract: Education is the foundation of culture and the engine of economies; it is an essential part of life. However, it remains inaccessible or unavailable in some parts of developing nations. Moreover, such barriers for girls and women can extend beyond education and into the workplace, and this is a bone of contention based on erroneous beliefs and other factors. Barriers for girls’ and women’s education are debatable in the literature; however, there is a sparsity of literature that focuses on the bridge to the workplace. Therefore, through a focus group study, this study explores the barriers that prohibit the transition for women from higher education to employment in Egypt. Based on qualitative data from focus group participants, the barriers to girls’ and women’s education are related to cultural, economic, family, and structural–educational barriers. In addition, stereotypical thinking and discrimination are factors hindering girls and women from ‘decent’ employment in Egypt. Based on this study’s results, some practical recommendations were elicited, which centre around awareness enhancement, formulation of laws and policies, and development of employability skills and entrepreneurship skills. The managerial and societal implications of this study are illustrated. It is anticipated that the results of this study will serve to create an inherent need to undertake a larger survey to investigate the barriers from a wider number of respondents.

Keywords: employment; transition; women; gender equality (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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