By Milda Urban, Summersalt Yoga founder

We, women, think a lot. All the time. About big things and little things. Sometimes we find answers, many times—we’re stuck with the questions. One of the most fundamental questions today when discussing women empowerment is: what is stopping us?

Social Norms and Lack of Support: A Barrier to Women Empowerment

Almost half a year ago, I was thinking about my career a lot. I was planning to make some changes. Big ones. It was—to say the least—a stressful and quite uncomfortable decision to make and to put into action.

That train of thought brought me to a deeper contemplation: why do we, women, experience so much stress, struggle, and worry when advancing or changing our careers? And yes, most everything else in life.

I turned to Facebook and asked my girlfriends: what is it they think is holding us, women, back or putting brakes along our way to success and fulfillment? As expected from my circle of superwomen, I received a flood of thoughtful responses. Here’s a breakdown.

The first and most recurring theme was the societal norms. Even though it’s an often-cited reason, it remains very real and powerful. These norms blur the lines between external and internal pressures.

External norms tell us what a woman should or shouldn’t do—focus on family over career, be soft and nurturing over assertive and driven, support rather than lead. Internally, we absorb these cues and begin to doubt ourselves, restricting our own growth and silencing our ambitions. This internalization becomes a key barrier to women empowerment.

“Culture (in the lips of own relatives and some friends) does not like strong women… This makes women subdue their strong will to fit the ‘norms’.” — Vija M. Pakalkaite

Eastern Europe, where I’m from, has more traditional expectations compared to places like Germany or Scandinavia. And that creates a gap in support—a vital ingredient for women empowerment. Even well-meaning support systems can be laced with contradictory expectations, especially when it comes to other women.

“We’re raised to draw our power from how attractive we are and how good we are in the traditional role as women… but it’s worth every bit of the struggle.” — Nataša Štambuk

Gender Roles and Family: Where Empowerment Meets Responsibility

Let’s talk about the complicated dance between gender and family roles. In many cultures, women are expected to be the primary caregivers—for children, for aging parents, for the home. This expectation creates a direct conflict with career growth.

Of course, biology plays its part, but societal pressure amplifies it. The extent to which a woman remains in this caretaker role varies, but even when she returns to work, the burden of home tasks often remains disproportionately hers.

In some homes, tasks are split equally. In many others, they are not. And even when staying home is a woman’s choice, it must be a real choice—not one driven by fear or social guilt. Women empowerment means ensuring that choice is free of internal and external coercion.

Anxiety, Self-Doubt, and Fear: Silent Killers of Women Empowerment

Here’s the modern “to be or not to be” for women: Can I have it all? Should I have it all? Should I go back to work or stay at home?

These questions are loaded with guilt, anxiety, and uncertainty. Despite societal advancements, women still face harsh criticism and internal doubt. They wonder if their skills are still sharp, if younger candidates have surpassed them, if choosing work means neglecting their children.

The fear is real. The doubt is overwhelming. And the emotional tug-of-war is exhausting.

“It kicks you off your career and it might be not that easy to accelerate again… but I do not regret it. I state that :)” — Skirmantė Ušu

“It’s the people you surround yourself with who will help guide you and support you.” — Nancy Milicevic

Support—both personal and institutional—is essential for overcoming these barriers and achieving real women empowerment.

High Expectations: The Double-Edged Sword

High expectations can be motivating, but they can also be paralyzing. Women are expected to do it all and be it all: the perfect mother, the ideal employee, the loving partner, the ambitious leader.

Much of this pressure is internalized. We push ourselves to prove we can do it all—often at the cost of our own well-being. When the motivation turns into a burden, women empowerment suffers.

“A man would often take a promotion without hesitating, while a woman would more often question if she really has what it takes.” — Olga Smirnova

The key is not to eliminate high expectations, but to make sure they don’t become limiting. True empowerment includes self-awareness and the grace to be imperfect.

The Economic Reality: The Final Hurdle

Even today, women face significant economic barriers: unequal pay, fewer hiring opportunities, and stereotypes that discourage negotiation or assertiveness.

Women often hesitate to ask for raises or promotions out of fear of being labeled as difficult or ungrateful. And this fear is not unfounded—gendered expectations still run deep.

Women empowerment means confronting these disparities head-on. We need support from allies and especially from each other. We must encourage one another to advocate for fairness and equality in the workplace.

“Female attributes not being validated, rewarded and paid for. Male attributes being the standard everything is compared to.” — Anonymous

A Path Forward for Women Empowerment

So, what’s next? How do we move from questioning to action?

It starts with awareness and continues with solidarity. Women empowerment is not a buzzword—it’s a necessity. A shared responsibility. Whether it’s navigating social norms, balancing family and career, confronting fears, or fighting for fair pay, we need to keep the conversation going.

Let’s keep asking tough questions. Let’s keep sharing our stories. Let’s support each other fiercely and authentically.

Because empowered women empower women. And that’s how we change the world.