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Joelle Danielle Ngo Ndjama [1]     

Abstract

Women play a crucial role in society, as their status contributes significantly to its progress. However, in numerous societies that adhere to patriarchal norms, women frequently face the perception of being subordinate to men, leading to their marginalisation from esteemed and practical roles that are exclusively reserved for males. The lack of female presence in high-level management roles in educational institutions remains a significant issue that is not limited to specific regions but is rather a prevalent issue worldwide. Therefore, this study presents a comprehensive systematic review that explores the barriers influencing women's participation in decision-making. This process involved analysing data from scholarly databases such as Google Scholar and Scopus such as peer-reviewed journals and previously conducted research papers on the relevant keywords (women in academia, decision making, barriers contributing to gender inequality in education, and higher education leadership). The results revealed that women's participation in decision-making is influenced by a complex interplay of individual, socio-cultural, and structural factors. These factors include cultural norms, gender stereotypes, lack of access to education and resources, discriminatory practices, and limited representation in decision-making positions. Based on the findings, several recommendations are proposed to enhance women's participation in decision-making in South Africa. These recommendations include the need for targeted interventions to address gender inequalities, promoting women's empowerment through education and skills development, and creating inclusive policies and legislation. Additionally, it is crucial to raise awareness and challenge societal norms and attitudes that perpetuate gender disparities.

Keywords: Women, participation in decision making, barriers, feminist theory, higher education setting, South Africa context