Exploring the Factors Affecting Women’s Participation in Leadership Positions in Higher Education Institutions of Pakistan.

Abstract

This study examines the obstacles that hinder women’s involvement in educational leadership roles within higher educational institutions, specifically focusing on the University of Sargodha. Data were collected by conducting interviews with four female department heads and one female faculty member each from twenty-six departments of the university. Upon analyzing the qualitative data, it became evident that there was a notable lack of female representation in leadership positions. Five primary factors were identified: personal factors such as home responsibilities, interpersonal factors like gender-stereotyping, socialization process, and role conflict, and organizational factors related to male dominance. The study emphasizes the crucial role of societal socialization processes in perpetuating this inequality. It indicates that societal expectations, which relieve men from domestic duties, add to the double workload faced by women. To tackle gender disparity, the study suggests creating an environment that encourages the belief in equal capabilities for all children, regardless of their gender, to take on different roles.