10 Challenges Women Still Face at Work

Despite the progress made in recent decades, many women continue to face unique and persistent challenges in the workplace. These challenges often go unnoticed or unspoken, but they are very real—and they can have a significant impact on confidence, career progression, and overall well-being.

Based on countless conversations, coaching sessions, and workshops with women across various industries, here are the top 10 recurring challenges we hear about time and time again:

• Feeling stuck that they are not achieving their true potential – Many women feel they’re capable of much more—but aren’t sure how to move forward. Whether due to lack of support, unclear pathways, or internal doubts, there’s often a deep frustration at not achieving the impact they know they’re capable of.
• Struggling to promote themselves and talk about their achievements – Self-promotion can feel uncomfortable. Many women find it difficult to talk about their achievements, fearing they’ll come across as boastful. But in doing so, their hard work can go unnoticed, and opportunities may pass them by.
• Battling the inner critic– That inner voice—the one that whispers, “You’re not smart enough,” or “You’re not qualified enough”—can be relentless. Quieting self-doubt and owning one’s expertise is one of the biggest hurdles many women face on a daily basis.
• Not Feeling Heard or Taken Seriously – Whether it’s in meetings, during performance reviews, or in casual conversations, women often express frustration that their ideas aren’t acknowledged or valued in the same way. They want—and deserve—to be heard, respected, and taken seriously.
• Being Interrupted, Talked Over, or Ignored – The experience of being spoken over, dismissed, or simply overlooked in meetings is all too common. It’s not just frustrating—it’s silencing. Over time, it can lead women to withdraw and question the value of their contributions.
• Minimising Their Ideas – Women are often quick to downplay their own input. They might preface ideas with phrases like “I’m not sure if this makes sense, but…” or “This might be silly, but…” These habits, often deeply ingrained, can unintentionally undermine their own authority.
• Hesitating to Apply for Promotions – Even when highly qualified, many women hold back from applying for promotions. They may feel they need to meet 100% of the criteria, while their male counterparts are willing to go for it at 60%. This hesitation can slow career advancement unnecessarily.
• Not Seeking the Credit They Deserve – Whether it’s due to humility, discomfort, or simply being overlooked, women often miss out on recognition they’ve earned. Speaking up for credit isn’t arrogance—it’s advocacy.
• Feeling Invisible – From being excluded from key conversations to having their work attributed to someone else, many women experience the painful sense of invisibility. It can lead to disengagement and a questioning of self-worth.
• Not Feeling Safe to Be Themselves at Work – Whether it’s hiding parts of their identity, downplaying emotion, or adopting a “tougher” persona to fit in, too many women feel they can’t show up authentically. This emotional labour takes a toll over time.

What Can Be Done?

The good news? These challenges are not signs of personal failure—they’re symptoms of systemic issues that can be addressed. Change happens when we name these challenges, talk about them openly, and create supportive spaces where women can build confidence, own their achievements, and lead authentically.

This is why we developed our Finding Your Voice workshops, where women can come together and receive practical support and move past these barriers and thrive. Because every woman deserves to feel seen, heard, and valued—not just for what she does, but for who she is.

If you’re exploring ways to support women in your workplace, please get in touch to learn how our workshops can help.