As higher education expands in Ethiopia, the unemployability of graduates, especially women, remains a persistent challenge. An exploration of this issue that leaves women with limited employment opportunities in Ethiopia requires a thorough explanation of the underlying factors. Using a mixed-methods case-study methodology, this study investigated why college-educated women experience challenges in the Ethiopian labor market. Drawing from extant literature and survey data from a large-scale mixed-methods formative assessment of 460 human resources (HR) managers and 1,261 purposively sampled tertiary students, this study offers a comprehensive understanding of the perspectives of employers, university faculty and administrators, and students. This paper provides a more nuanced illustration of the cultural, social, institutional, and political barriers women face in Ethiopia as they navigate higher education and the post-college/university job market. The findings show (1) gendered cultural expectations, (2) inequitable access to campus career support systems, and (3) uneven commitment to gender parity among employers. Based on these findings, one major implication is that colleges and universities should promote gender equity in the labor market and provide women with tailored academic and career support. Government and policy makers in Ethiopia should ensure gender equity policies are in place and functioning, incentivize gender equitable employment practices, and subsidize gender equality-related studies and awareness raising campaigns. © 2025 Society for Research into Higher Education.
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