Gender and leadership in public higher education in South Asia: examining the individual, socio-cultural and organizational barriers to female inclusion

The study examines the personal, social, and organizational barriers facing women in university leadership positions South Asia, building on cases of Malaysia Bangladesh. We discussed topic through lens interactionist feminist theory. Semi-structured interviews with 20 female deans from 12 public universities Bangladesh were conducted, followed by two focus group discussions eight deans. results reveal that personal such as family duties, lack technological knowledge, interest taking positions, spousal support poor time management, represented major for Lack deanship was found to compound underrepresentation dean roles. participants identified fewer socio-cultural faced Malaysian deans, while Bangladeshi met issues. reported. findings hold significant policy implications.