The Workplace Challenges Encountered by Female Academics in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Gender equality in academia is a challenge endured globally with the under-representation of females in leadership and decision-making positions. Despite the numerous and diverse efforts taken by the universities to encourage gender equality, women in academia struggle to overcome the challenge of inequality. Around the world, the gendered academic organizational climate as well as the day-to-day interactions cause a major impact not only on female participation within academia but also on how they perceive their future in academic institutions. This research presents the results of a survey conducted with 48 female academics in Sri Lanka attempting to study female academics’ experience with gendered challenges in academia. The research concluded that female academics are challenged in building networks and in reaching their desired career goals. It also revealed that there is a difference in the level of challenges faced by female academics in Sri Lanka depending on their marital status and childcare responsibilities. To prevent the withdrawal of female academics from the field and improve their satisfaction, it is crucial for academic institutions and the relevant authorities to understand the sources of these challenges in academia and implement effective solutions to create a better working environment for women academics in the country.