This study explored the understanding of societal factors influencing women's leadership positions in the public sector of Afghanistan from 2001 to 2021, with a specific focus on the Independent General Directorate of Kuchis (IGDK). The semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven women occupying diverse positions within the governmental agency of IGDK in Afghanistan. The Glass Ceiling Theory has been used as an academic lens for this study. Moreover, thematic analysis has been applied for data analysis regarding qualitative interviews. The study resulted in several factors that had the greatest influence on women's career advancement, including organizational, social, individual, and national levels due to lack of political stability. The findings highlight the persistence of societal norms that prescribe specific roles for men and women which limit women's opportunities for advancement. The impact of traditional gender roles and expectations, as well as education and workplace discrimination, on women's career progression, were identified as major themes of the study. Moreover, based on the findings of this study, gender disparities in education and workplace discrimination contributes to unequal pay and limited managerial employment options for women. The study aligns with existing seminal literature and offers practical measures for promoting gender equality and women's leadership, including targeted interventions to challenge traditional gender norms, equal access to quality education, workplace diversity initiatives, and policy reforms that support gender mainstreaming. The study concludes with recommendations for policymakers and organizations to enhance women's leadership opportunities, emphasizing the importance of capacity building, collaboration, and long-term monitoring and evaluation. By implementing these recommendations, the public sector of Afghanistan can make significant strides toward achieving gender equality in leadership positions and fostering a more inclusive society.