Women make up almost half of the workforce, but only a small percentage are ever promoted above middle management (Zarya). Although more women are working now than ever before, the numbers of high-level management positions still are primarily occupied by men, and the reason for this imbalance is still unclear. Why are women not able to break that glass ceiling? What is keeping them out of positions of power and decision making, and what might be done to assist women with professional development and promotion? Formal mentoring programs designed specifically for women have been in existence for many years, and they have great potential to be beneficial for career advancement. Although these programs are not new, most women have never participated in them (Montazavi). From a human resource development perspective, formal mentoring programs, especially effective formal mentoring programs, should be encouraged for women. Establishing effective formal mentoring programs can help to reduce the barriers that women face when trying to succeed in the workplace. Formal mentoring programs are the answer in how to break through that glass ceiling. They can provide encouragement and foster the self-advocacy needed to overcome career barriers and succeed.

中文翻译：

---

制定提高工作场所妇女地位的指导计划

女性几乎占劳动力的一半，但只有一小部分被提升到中层管理人员以上（Zarya）。尽管现在工作的女性比以往任何时候都多，但高层管理职位的数量仍然主要由男性占据，造成这种不平衡的原因尚不清楚。为什么女性无法打破玻璃天花板？是什么让她们无法担任权力和决策，以及可以采取哪些措施来帮助女性获得职业发展和晋升？专门为女性设计的正式指导计划已经存在多年，它们有很大的潜力有利于职业发展。尽管这些项目并不新鲜，但大多数女性从未参与过（蒙塔扎维）。从人力资源开发的角度来看，正式的指导计划，应鼓励妇女参加特别有效的正式指导方案。建立有效的正式指导计划有助于减少女性在工作场所取得成功时面临的障碍。正式的指导计划是如何突破玻璃天花板的答案。他们可以提供鼓励并培养克服职业障碍并取得成功所需的自我宣传。