The apparel sector is a major driver of employment in Sri Lanka, with women making up a substantial share of the workforce. Despite this significant representation, a persistent gender gap remains in terms of equal opportunities and access to resources within industry. This study explores whether the Sri Lankan apparel sector provides equitable treatment to male and female workers by identifying key challenges and opportunities for achieving gender equality. The research employed a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative data through an inductive research design. A total of sixty respondents were selected from the Biyagama Export Processing Zone via convenience sampling to collect primary data through a structured survey and key informant interviews. The identified challenges are categorized under socio-economic and institutional domains. The findings underscore persistent barriers while acknowledging that select leading apparel companies have begun taking meaningful steps toward gender equality; however, the broader industry landscape remains largely stagnant. Prominent challenges include limited earnings for female workers, heavier workloads and poorer working conditions for women, safety concerns during nighttime transportation and widespread silence around sexual harassment. Although leadership opportunities are formally available to all workers, gender-based constraints disproportionately hinder female employees from advancing. The results of this study can inform the development of policies and programs, including advocacy for labor law reform, improvements to workplace regulations, and practical interventions such as workshops, training programs, and women’s empowerment and capacity-building initiatives. Overall, this research provides valuable insights into the progress and the persistent gaps in achieving gender equality in the Sri Lankan apparel sector.