Perceptions and experiences of female academics on barriers in obtaining and continuing leadership roles at higher education

• Explores the perceptions and experiences of female academics on the main barriers in obtaining and continuing leadership roles at higher education. • The main barriers for obtaining leadership positions relate to socio-cultural barriers, the struggle to balance between professional and family responsibilities, the violation of work ethics and less collaboration between colleagues, and the invisible barrier of glass ceiling. • The factors for demotivating female academics to continuing their leadership roles associate with the lack of motivation, the experience of leadership as a stressful activity, and the spousal refusal toward interaction with male colleagues. • Concludes with proposing clear measures and implications for promoting and empowering female academics, achieving both social justice and inclusive academic environment. This paper explores the perceptions and experiences of female academics on the main barriers that face female academics in obtaining and continuing leadership roles at Yemeni higher education institutions. By following a case study design, and employing semi-structured, in-depth interviews with fifteen female academics, the findings revealed a multifaceted interplay of barriers facing female academics. The main barriers for obtaining leadership positions relate to socio-cultural barriers such as traditional gender roles, societal stereotypes and patriarchal norms, female academics’ struggle to balance between professional and family responsibilities, the violation of work ethics and less collaboration between colleagues, and the invisible barrier of glass ceiling. The findings also revealed the factors for demotivating female academics to continuing their leadership roles. The key factors associate with the lack of motivation and the experience of leadership as a stressful activity, and the spousal refusal toward interaction with male colleagues. The paper concludes with proposing clear measures and implications for promoting and empowering female academics, achieving both social justice and inclusive academic environment.