If a female employee does not get a mentor for promotion while men do what effect may occur?

Correct answer: Gender gap in career advancement may increase

The direct answer is A: the gender gap in career advancement may increase. Mentoring gives guidance, useful contacts, feedback, information about opportunities and support for promotion. Step by step: men receive this career support; the woman does not; she may receive less advice, visibility and sponsorship; over time, promotion chances can differ; therefore the leadership gap may grow. Option A is correct, and “may” is important because the effect is a possible consequence, not an automatic certainty. Option B is wrong because unequal mentoring cannot guarantee equal leadership. Option C is wrong because missing a mentor does not remove the need for training; it may create additional learning barriers. Option D is wrong because mentoring inequality does not necessarily reduce workload. A fair organisation should make mentoring accessible through transparent criteria and should check who receives development opportunities. Memory cue: unequal access to guidance can become unequal access to promotion.