Stakeholders’ Perceptions of Gender Equality in Top Leadership Positions at the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Abstract

Women are continually experiencing under-representation in higher education management throughout the world, especially in Tanzania. This study investigates the perception of the university community, specifically women on gender equality in the topmost academic leadership positions such as Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vicechancellor, Directors and Deans of Colleges. The following questions were addressed in the study, which was informed by the feminist theory: What is the current female representation at the UDSM top management? What are the stakeholders’ views on the position of women in top management posts? What are the barriers for the full participation of women in top management posts in the University of Dar es Salaam? Qualitative case study design and purposive sampling technique were used. Semi-structured interviews and an in-depth documentary review were used for data collection while thematic analysis was used to generate the themes that emerged in data analysis. Several issues such as women marginalization in top leadership positions, failure on on the part of women and patriarchy system elements are still strongly felt and experienced in top leadership positions in the University of Dar es Salaam. Women leaders are experiencing several gender  stereotypical constrains, exclusion and gender stereotype posts. There is need to intensify efforts at publishing so as to attain the professorship  cadre and the college should have a serious mission for ensuring gender balance in top leadership posts while suppressing the background gender
stereotypical posts.