An analysis of the representation of females in professional positions at the University of the Western Cape

Abstract

It is often contended that many barriers deter women from reaching the academic ladder in terms of hierarchy. Publication records are important in promotion criterion to become Professors, it is therefore imperative that females become engage in academic activity for their successful progression and recognition in the academia. This can be achieved through the extension of strategies and practices that women use to attain Professorship. Against this background, this study examined possible challenges female Professors encounter within their Departments, Faculties, and the Institution. The study explores qualitative research method within a feminist paradigm, face to face in-depth interview with academic female Professors was administered to get an insight and understand their experiences; how they cope with such challenges; policies that promotes gender equality and institutional responses to these challenges. The findings to this study revealed that networking groups amongst women where they are able to share their challenges are not available. In addition, the university does not have policies that support females in general and Professors in particular in their struggle to combine their personal and academic role. The study therefore recommends a strong need for a networking group amongst females and female Professors to assist each other; future studies that will include female black Professors, and institutional intervention in terms of policies that would develop and support academic females in their publishing at UWC.