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Abstract

This study examines the barriers affecting women’s transition from higher education to professional empowerment through a comparative analysis of Pakistan and Brazil. Despite notable differences in socio-cultural and economic contexts, women in both countries encounter persistent structural and institutional barriers that hinder their participation in the labour market. The study draws on survey datasets collected from women in higher education institutions in Pakistan (n = 399) and Brazil (n = 192 valid responses) to investigate how socio-cultural norms, labour market inequalities, and institutional dynamics shape women’s professional trajectories. Using a combination of descriptive and inferential statistical techniques, including the Mann–Whitney U test, Kruskal– Wallis H test, and Shapiro–Wilk normality test, the analysis identifies significant differences in how empowerment barriers are perceived across demographic groups, regions, and levels of professional experience. The findings reveal that in Pakistan, deeply entrenched patriarchal norms, early marriage practices, family expectations, and mobility restrictions significantly constrain women’s ability to translate educational attainment into labour market participation. In contrast, Brazilian women demonstrate higher levels of educational attainment and workforce integration; however, institutionalized gender discrimination, wage disparities, and persistent leadership stereotypes, particularly within male-dominated sectors such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), continue to limit their professional advancement. The comparative analysis highlights both shared and contextspecific challenges shaping women’s empowerment. While socio-cultural constraints remain more pronounced in Pakistan, institutional labour market inequalities are more evident in Brazil. The study contributes to the literature by providing empirical comparative evidence on how different structural conditions influence women’s transition from education to employment in developing and emerging economies. The findings underscore the need for contextspecific policy interventions aimed at improving women’s mobility, strengthening workplace protections, addressing wage disparities, and promoting gender-inclusive leadership opportunities. Such targeted strategies are essential for advancing gender equality and achieving sustainable empowerment for women in both countries.