Governance Challenges in Women's Leadership and Professional Competencies in Decision-Making: A Bibliometric Approach

Abstract

Gender equality is a concern in our society. Goal 2 of the Sustainable Development Goals states that professional women still face a lack of job opportunities, and those who are employed encounter legal barriers that limit their economic development. Furthermore, governance practices ensure transparency and high financial performance, strengthening an organization's reputation. One of the research gaps in corporate governance mechanisms lies in gender diversity, particularly the participation of women in leadership roles, highlighting the challenges, structural, and cultural barriers that hinder their access and effectiveness. This study seeks to answer the question: What are the governance challenges in women's leadership and professional competencies in decision-making? To address this, we conducted a bibliometric co-reference analysis based on a dataset of 206 articles, selected using the PRISMA methodology. Our findings identified four key clusters:     Cluster 1 - Gender Governance and Corporate Participation,  Cluster 2 - Sustainable Governance and Female Leadership,     Cluster 3 - Local Governance and Women's Empowerment and     Cluster 4 - Governance and Information Quality Management. These clusters emphasize the stagnation that women in leadership and positions of power continue to face. Additionally, they highlight the urgent need to develop and implement truly inclusive and transformative policies. While these policies are necessary, they are not sufficient to create real change, as they must address deeply rooted patriarchal power structures embedded in most organizations. Achieving true gender equity requires radical transformation, including continuous oversight, revisions, and adjustments to policies and practices that go beyond simply allowing women to be heard.