Opinion | Lack of women in VC roles signals a need for structural change
Summary
Only four women were shortlisted for vice-chancellor positions out of 188 candidates across eight Nepalese universities, highlighting persistent gender inequality in academic leadership.
Key Points
- Only four women were shortlisted among 188 candidates for vice-chancellor positions in eight Nepalese universities.
- The underrepresentation of women in academic leadership is due to cultural, institutional, and systemic barriers including domestic duties and lack of mentorship.
- Nepal lacks mentorship and support programs for women aspiring to leadership roles in higher education, unlike some neighboring countries.
- Addressing these issues does not mean lowering standards but requires structural changes to create conducive environments for women leaders.
