Being a woman is not a barrier to achieving successful leadership in South African higher education

Abstract

This research aims to examine and analyse some of the problems that women in leadership positions face in South African higher education. Women have been denied leadership positions in higher education. This became increasingly clear in developing countries such as South Africa. However, in recent years, there has been a great increase in the achievement of women in leadership roles in higher education. South African higher education has undergone a gender stereotype reversal, largely due to an increase in women in leadership positions such as vice-chancellors, rectors, deans, and department heads. This study contends that being a female does not preclude successful leadership in South African higher education. A qualitative content analysis was utilised to guide this work when reviewing and analysing current scholarly literature such as articles, book chapters, and theses. To build a coding system and present the findings of this paper, the following themes were identified:(1) challenges women face in leadership positions in South African higher education; (2) the influence of patriarchy in leadership positions in higher education; (3) Influence of patriarchy in leadership positions in higher education; (4) Redressing the challenges faced by women in higher education. The findings of this paper revealed that being a woman is not a barrier to success in leadership, but they also highlighted that women continue to face basic problems in academic leadership. This article concludes by claiming that gender stereotypes, gender inequity, and discrimination against women in leadership roles are issues preventing women from achieving their career progression goals in academia.