Women Leadership in Indian Higher Education Sector: The Realities, Challenges and Future Directions Post COVID 19 Pandemic

Abstract

Women leadership is a burning topic of interest among various research scholars and policy makers for enhancing women's empowerment in almost every sector. Despite of the fact that education sector is the most preferred sector by women in India , only 5% of the women are working as leaders in Indian Higher Education Industry. Keeping in mind the vision of the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, and the theme of International Women’s Day, March 8, 2020 and UN's campaign — I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights for an equal future—therefore it is crucial to take the ahead the movement of empowerment of girls and women through education in all institutes. In particular, it is time to include the participation of women at decision making roles in higher education sector. The research findings shows that women in the higher education sector hardly reaches the decision making position like Vice Chancellors, they remain restricted to rising up to the positions like head of the departments, deans, registrars or controller of examination. The study aims to investigate the current scenario, challenges and future directions of women leadership particularly in Indian Higher Education Sector. The study is based on extensive literature review through a secondary research approach.