Women in Academia: Insights drawn from Literature Review

Education is a vital human right required for all persons, regardless of gender. The notion of women in academia comprises the experiences, challenges, and triumphs of women pursuing education and career in higher education and research. Historically, academia has been male-dominated, with women experiencing challenges such as gender bias, unequal opportunities for promotion, and low representation in leadership posts. No doubt, there has been a progressive shift towards gender equality in academia, with more women entering and excelling in many academic professions, although women nevertheless continue to face significant hurdles in achieving gender equality. Women in academia are multifaceted and play a crucial role in generating knowledge, driving innovation and addressing various societal issues. Inclusivity and representation of women is important in a just society. Women make up a significant portion of the population and therefore upholding their representation in academia ensures diversity in outlook and opinions. The present study is an attempt to understand the diverse role and experiences of women in academia through literature review. The review was conducted exclusively on women in the field of academia involved in teaching career and those pursuing higher education. The paper explores the varied challenges faced by them and also puts forth suggestive measures to strengthen women’s participation and empowerment in the world of academia. Challenges such as less opportunity to leadership roles, unequal workload and expectations, work life balance were identified. Support systems such as funding, training, mentorship are recommended. Collaborations with government and academic institutions can boost the role of women significantly.