Career Trajectories of Women Academics in Higher Education of Azad Jammu and Kashmir

The career trajectories of women academics are shaped by a complex interplay of institutional, societal, and individual factors. However, less in known about the career paths of women academics in the context of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). Thus, we focused the career paths of women academics in higher education of AJK by examining the disparities faced by women academics while navigating their career paths in higher education of AJK. We used quantitative research design in positivistic tradition and employed cross-sectional research approach. We selected a sample of 35 women academics by using random number table and collected data through questionnaire by employing simple random sampling technique. We collected data from a public sector university of AJK. We found a mixed bag of findings. Women academics in higher education of AJK face numerous problems in proportion, representation, research productivity, promotion, and supervision. Moreover, their academic career paths are highly burdened with the familial responsibilities. Drawing on the results, we substantiate the argument of Foucault (1975) that, like society, power circulates and accumulates due to cultural and academic expectations in higher education. Here, power is exercised by men by creating new objects of knowledge through polices, documents, and practices that marginalize the women academics’ career aspirations. It is suggested to address these disparities and support women in overcoming the obstacles they face in higher education of AJK.