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

Author

Listed:
  • 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
    Engineering & The Built Environment, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park Kingsway Campus, Johannesburg 2092, South Africa)

  • Lekan Damilola Ojo

    (Department of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Muhammad Qasim Rana & Shadia Fahim & Mohammed Saad & Angela Lee & Olugbenga Timo Oladinrin & Lekan Damilola Ojo, 2024. "Exploring the Underlying Barriers for the Successful Transition for Women from Higher Education to Employment in Egypt: A Focus Group Study," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-17, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:13:y:2024:i:4:p:195-:d:1366737
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Shireen AlAzzawi, 2020. "Regional and income disparities in cost of living changes: evidence from Egypt," Middle East Development Journal, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 12(2), pages 243-267, July.
    2. Sara Santilli & Isabella Valbusa & Barbara Rinaldi & Maria Cristina Ginevra, 2024. "Life Satisfaction, Courage, and Career Adaptability in a Group of Italian Workers," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-11, February.
    3. Yasmin A. Mertehikian & Emilio A. Parrado, 2024. "The Gendered Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Employment in Argentina: The Mediating Role of the Public vs. Private Sectors," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-20, February.
    4. Chen, Yuyu & Li, Hongbin, 2009. "Mother's education and child health: Is there a nurturing effect?," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 28(2), pages 413-426, March.
    5. Swamy, Anand & Knack, Stephen & Lee, Young & Azfar, Omar, 2001. "Gender and corruption," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 64(1), pages 25-55, February.
    6. Paul Ryan, 2001. "The School-to-Work Transition: A Cross-National Perspective," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 39(1), pages 34-92, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Hanan Eid Badwy & Sikandar Ali Qalati & Mohamed Fawzy El-Bardan, 2025. "Unlocking happiness: how crafting your career path boosts life satisfaction through forward thinking and self-confidence in career choices," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 12(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Olugbenga Timo Oladinrin & Abimbola Windapo & João Alencastro & Muhammad Qasim Rana & Christiana Ekpo & Lekan Damilola Ojo, 2025. "Towards a Sustainable Construction Industry: A Fuzzy Synthetic Evaluation of Critical Barriers to Entry and the Retention of Women in the South African Construction Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-22, May.
    3. Muhammad Qasim Rana & Angela Lee & José Fernando Rodrigues Bezerra & Guilherme Hissa Villas Boas, 2024. "Empowerment and Sustainability: Investigating Barriers to Women’s Transition from Higher Education to Empowerment in Brazil," Societies, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-19, November.

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