Breaking the Silence: Unveiling Barriers to Women's Leadership for Sustainable Development in Higher Education: Breaking the Silence

Najmonnisa Khan; Liz Hollingworth

doi:10.31384/jisrmsse/2024.30.6.1

Authors

Najmonnisa Khan university of Iowa
Dr.Liz Hollingworth University of Iowa https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9145-841X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31384/jisrmsse/2024.30.6.1

Abstract

This study explores gender disparities and challenges faced by women in leadership positions in the academic sectors of developing and developed countries, which is a pressing and practical concern. Academic organizations have historically marginalized women in leadership roles. This meta-analysis provides a comprehensive overview of the ways women have experienced gender inequality in countries around the world e.g., Pakistan as a developing country, and the USA as a developed country. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews PRISMA served as a guide for a formal systematic review of the literature. Findings were drawn from research studies over the period 2003–2024 in both developed and developing countries. The three databases, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar yielded a total of 89 papers. Leadership in higher education and organizational improvement were key to choosing research for analysis. The findings illuminate the prevalent silent barriers and discriminatory dynamics that women leaders encounter, both in developed and developing countries. Insights from developed countries, such as the USA, reveal progress in promoting gender equality but acknowledge the existing gaps in top-tier leadership roles. Conversely, the challenges faced in academia by women in developing countries, exemplified by Pakistan, are rooted in educational gaps, cultural norms, and economic disparities. The implications of the current findings applied to developed and developing nations, provide a foundation for understanding the global landscape of Women's Leadership in Higher Education.

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Author Biography

Dr.Liz Hollingworth, University of Iowa https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9145-841X

ntroduction

Liz Hollingworth is a professor in the College of Education at the University of Iowa and the Director of the Center for Evaluation and Assessment. Her research and teaching interests are centered on curriculum, educational leadership, program evaluation, and assessment. More information can be found here: http://myweb.uiowa.edu/hollingw/

Current Positions

Professor of Educational Leadership

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Breaking the Silence: Unveiling Barriers to Women's Leadership for Sustainable Development in Higher Education