Mapping the Changing Landscape of Women Leadership: A Global Perspective

In this UN Decade for Action on Gender Equality, multiple forums, interest groups, and world leaders have pledged their support to eliminate gender inequalities globally and to realize women’s human potential and rights. Yet many believe that public commitments have not been matched with the actions, policies, and programs needed to realize these goals. Additionally, the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on women has threatened to undermine decades of progress on gender equality, whether through lost income due to job losses, heightened vulnerability, the greater care burden brought by lockdowns, and the steep upsurge in domestic violence. Accordingly, there is a call to action for accelerating gender parity on the horizon. Even though women leaders continue to contribute positively to organizations in myriad ways, they remain largely underrepresented worldwide in leadership positions in all arenas, especially in the education arena. Even in the top positions, women continue to face challenges within institutional structures, systems, and perspectives, which require systemic transformative change. This chapter maps the changing landscape of women leadership globally. It surveys the perceptions and challenges concerning women leadership in general and women leadership in the education sector. It also identifies and examines the factors that shape the success of women leaders, who, against significant odds, rise above these challenges and make their leadership mark. It concludes with pointers from pioneer women leaders in higher education who are extending traditional leadership boundaries and transforming challenges into success factors.