THE IMPACT OF GENDER STEREOTYPES ON WOMEN ADMINISTRATORS IN HIGHER EDUCATION – International Journal of Social Sciences and Management Review

THE IMPACT OF GENDER STEREOTYPES ON WOMEN ADMINISTRATORS IN HIGHER EDUCATION

Authors: Arshdeep & Jaspreet Kaur

ABSTRACT

Women continue to encounter multiple hurdles despite diversity and equity initiatives by the Government and policies. Women have made tremendous strides in the workforce but are still in a minority in administrative positions worldwide in multiple sectors, including corporate sector, government, medicine, education and military. Gender stereotypes continue to exit which promote gender prejudice and discrimination among women at workplace. In India the work participation rate of women in workforce stands at 30.0 percent in 2023, their representation at the top level is negligible according to Catalyst report, 2022. In the ‘Global gender gap report’ (World Economic Forum, 2025), India ranked low at the 131 positions in terms of gender equality and slipped two places from its position in last year. However, a significant body of research illustrates that women’s upward mobility has been concentrated in middle management position. Hence, what are the reason that have restricted women to reach at higher level positions is needed to be enquired. This paper outlines different aspects of gender stereotyping and their impact on women’s administration in Higher Educational Institutions. However, there is still progress to be made to close the gap, especially in senior-level positions. There are subtle barriers like bias and stereotypes unfavorably encumbering women in administration and often used to explain the lack of women in leadership positions.

Keywords: Gender stereotype, Women, Challenges, Administration, Higher Education.

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