The representation of women academics in higher education in South Africa: Progress in the pipeline?

Abstract

This article is devoted to a discussion of women academics (more specifically
instructional/research staff) in higher education in South Africa. It disaggregates the
sex-specific data by sector, race, age, rank, qualification and scientific field. The
proportion of female instructional/research staff substantially increased from 30
per cent in 1992 to about 40 per cent in 2001, with a small but continued increase
in their share of senior positions. Women, however, are still under-represented at
the upper ranks. Should the increase continue, one would eventually expect equal
representation of the sexes in the most senior ranks. This argument, known as
women's progress `being in the pipeline', does not appear too unrealistic for South
Africa, given that no differences were found in either rank or employment status
(full-time/part-time) for women and men younger than 30 years (i.e. young
academics). Various factors, however, may prevent women's progress into higher
ranks or more stable positions.

South African Journal of Higher Education Vol. 19 (2) 2006: pp.359-377