Where are the women? analysing women in leadership positions at institutions of higher learning in South Africa

This research examines the ongoing under-representation of women in leadership positions within South African higher education institutions (HEIs). Despite a considerable increase in the number of women entering academia, their advancement to top leadership roles remained markedly constrained. This study analysed secondary data from forty scholarly articles published between 2010 and 2023 to investigate the intricate impediments obstructing women's advancement, the wider consequences of these challenges, and viable measures for enhancing gender parity in academic leadership. The results indicated that deep-rooted systemic and cultural obstacles, along with an absence of supportive legislation, sustained gender disparities within institutional hierarchies. Proposals for modification encompassed the establishment of explicit trajectories for women's professional advancement, gender-sensitive leadership training initiatives, mentorship programs to assist aspiring female leaders, and revisions to institutional regulations to foster diversity. The study emphasised the necessity for ongoing evaluation of gender equality policies and enhanced accountability mechanisms to guarantee continued advancement towards equitable representation in leadership.