Liberate or obliterate: Women’s leadership in academia

Abstract

Women form a critical component of the workforce of South Africa, yet the retention of women in leadership positions is problematic. This study examined the relationship between leadership opportunities and the retention of women at an open-distance education institution. A total of 311 of 2 732 female employees at a South African higher education participated in the study. The participating women responded to a survey on the leadership of their supervisors, leadership opportunities and retention. The data were analysed by descriptive and inferential statistics. The regression analysis results indicated leadership opportunities to predict job retention by age groupings, ethnicity, staff category and educational level. However, middle-aged women and black women were more inclined to perceive barriers to reaching leadership positions, despite capabilities and advancement opportunities. Advancement opportunities were the strongest predictor of job retention of women, followed by support and fulfilled unique needs. Findings suggest the importance of leadership opportunities to encourage women to remain with an organisation and pursue leadership positions.