Abstract:
In recent years, gender equality has become a principal area of concern. Although the international campaigns for gender equality and equity in Higher Education Institutions, studies conducted in several countries continue to show that women are underrepresented in senior academic leadership positions in higher education institutions. In higher education subsector in Ethiopia women leaders are very few. This study aimed to explore the barriers women encounter in attaining senior academic leadership positions in public higher education institutions in Ethiopia. There has been a stark absence of empirical studies in the field of Ethiopian public higher education institution to investigate these issues and assess the implications. The purpose of this study is to contribute further empirical evidence in support of this claim and to help bridge the gap. The study used literature sources, document analysis and observation method to collect relevant information which used to generate the results and conclusion of this study. The findings from the study revealed that women are indeed underrepresented in the senior academic leadership positions of universities in Ethiopia. There are several factors at the personal, institutional and socio-cultural levels preventing qualified women from ascending to senior positions in higher education institutions. Suggestions were on how the barriers could be broken and they include: an increased societal participation on the topic, needs to be a reforming of the educational system, leadership training and development for women , women education /education of the girl child and mentoring, more research which will provide needed information among others. Also, women be bold and possess enough confidence was recommended for women, to make them effective senior academic leaders. .
|