Why There Are Not More Women University Leaders

Su-Mei Thompson and Lisa Moore
Over the past half-century, women have made tremendous gains in the workplace all over the world. Hong Kong is a shining example of this. Since 1993, the number of women employed as managers and administrators has increased by 108% and the number of women employed as professionals has increased by 104%. However, despite more women being prevalent in the workplace than ever before, they are still under-represented in decision-making positions across industry sectors and professions. And despite the fact that academia would seem to be a natural profession where women should thrive, the statistics and studies reveal that the leadership potential of women remains untapped in academia as in so many other areas. On the surface, the academic world in Hong Kong is filled with women. Employment rates in universities are nearly equal - 55% men to 45% women. But in fact, this parity applies only in lower ranking positions. At the lowest level, that is supporting academic staff and supporting research staff, the number of men and women is almost level. Among junior academic staff, however, men outnumber women by two-to-one.
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Source: University World News, Issue No: 0164, 27 March 2011