The Five Layers of Gender Inequality and Example in the Workplace

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Internalized Layer
The internalized layer is when a woman subconsciously projects gender stereotypes onto herself and other women. For example, Female workers are afraid to express their opinions in meetings because they believe that this behavior is considered aggressive.

Interpersonal
The Interpersonal layer is sexist comments towards women in interpersonal communication can have a negative effect. For example, Women are given the comment ‘menstruating’ when reprimanding co-workers for not meeting document submission deadlines.

Collective
The collective layer is biases, stereotypes, and discriminations that have been passed down from generation to generation in the community. For example, blaming women for the sexual violence they experience in the workplace.

Institutional
The institutional layer is policies and practices that reinforce gender inequality in the workplace or organization. For example, women workers are paid less than men because they are considered second-class people.

Systemic
The Systemic layer is the systems and structures that perpetuate gender inequality at every level of the organization. For example, when there are female leaders, they are often ostracized and opposed because they are considered inappropriate as leaders.