Women In Higher Education Leadership Positions in Zimbabwe: Experiences, Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

The study set to analyse challenges faced by women in their higher education leadership. Since the beginning of history, women have always been denied equal opportunities in terms of access to leadership opportunities. Research has shown that women have no lesser capabilities in terms of leadership qualities as compared to men. Some authors have even argued that women actually are more critical in the execution of their leadership duties as compared to men. The inequality in access to leadership roles has not left the higher education sector, in Zimbabwe. In this article we argue that women in leadership face multiple challenges in their daily operations. Further, the opportunities that are available for leadership of women in higher education in Zimbabwe are also explored. We conclude that women should be accorded equal opportunities in leadership positions. We also recommend that strategies should be set up for developmental programs for women in leadership positions. Consequently the aim of this systematic review is to assess the challenges faced by women who are holding leadership positions in higher education in higher education. The search is conducted through Scopus and Web of Science data bases yielding several articles that meet the inclusion criteria. The systematic literature review which is based on a qualitative analysis of several articles is based on the following research questions: What if at all are the challenges facing women in leadership? What are the common women leadership styles in higher education? What if at all are the structural, agential and cultural barriers to advancement to leadership positions.