GENDER-BASED DIFFERENCES IN THE LEADERSHIP ROLES: EXPERIENCES OF ACADEMIC HEADS IN GOVERNMENT COLLEGES

Abstract

This research utilizes a qualitative approach to study how gender affects the leadership activities and experiences of academic heads who work at Pakistani government colleges. Academic heads who are women encounter distinctive problems which include gender-based stereotypes alongside insufficient mentorship support and difficulties managing personal and professional responsibilities even though they maintain comparable job positions to their male counterparts. The Role Congruity Theory guides this research that examines leadership hindrances as well as decision processes and inclusivity patterns using interviews with educational institution leaders. Female executives who work in environments dominated by men need to modify their actions so they can function effectively though they encounter employment prejudice and structural challenges that bar their career advancement. This investigation demonstrates the necessity to develop gender-aware policies together with mentoring systems and institutional system changes  which support leadership equality. This research seeks to enhance government college leadership gender equality through academic inclusion by identifying the changes which will promote  equal representation and leadership effectiveness.