Gender representation patterns in higher education management in South Africa

Abstract

This article examines gender representation patterns in higher education transformation, with a view to raising pertinent questions and obtaining possible answers and solutions to the problem of gender equality in higher education management in particular. The article takes a critical look at the issue of disparity in the professional advancement of women academics , particularly with regard to their under representation in academic and administrative positions. It examines possible barriers to academic women's advancement and makes some recommendations on what institutions could do to minimise these barriers. Additionally, the article presents a summary of the results of a survey of South African universities' top academic and administrative structures carried out over three years (2000B2002) to determine whether or not women representation shows a changing pattern. The data indicate that the pattern of representation is still generally the same, with very little change over the three years.


(South African Journal of Higher Education: 2003 17 (1): 98-104)