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Gender Equality Interventions in Project-Based Organizations: What Works, What Doesn't, and Why

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Project-based organizations (PBOs) are increasingly adopting gender equality interventions; yet most of the knowledge on the subject is anecdotal and scattered across epistemological communities. We studied gender equality interventions in project-based organizations through a systematic literature review and semistructured interviews. We identified a comprehensive list of interventions and their success or failure mechanisms. Successful interventions include structural changes, mentorship, training, work-life balance programs, signaling, cultural shifts, laws, and health and safety measures. Key mechanisms are raising awareness, enhancing transparency, incentivizing stakeholders, eliminating perceptual barriers, and shifting mentalities. Cognitive dissonance theory explains why specific interventions succeed while others fail.

Source: Project Management Journal

DOI: 10.1177/87569728251335301

Authors: Sara Hajikazemi, Giorgio Locatelli, Ilaria Rimondi, Jad Saad

Institutions: Queen Mary University of London, Politecnico di Milano

Language: English

Topic: Gender Diversity and Inequality

Subfield: Gender Studies

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Gender equality, Reduced inequalities, Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,900