Institutional Factors Influencing Career Advancement of Women Faculty: A Case of Kenyatta University, Kenya
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Date
2017
Authors
Malelu, Abigael Mwende
Ngare, Grace Wamue
Okemwa, Pacificah
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Online Journal Publishers
Abstract
This study examined the institutional factors
militating against career advancement of
women faculty: A case of Kenyatta
University. The study was based on the
premise that there are some hidden
institutional challenges slowing career
progress of women faculty. This exists
despite the many attempts by universities to
implement government calls to gender
equality and equity. The promotion criteria
at the universities is said to provide equal
opportunities to women and men, yet the
former are unable to comply with it. The
study, therefore, set out, to analyze KU
policies and practices governing promotion,
as well as, suggest strategies of enhancing
women upward career growth. The study
was guided by Socialist Feminist Theory
and Gender and Development approach. The
study targeted all women faculty employed
in KU on full time basis. Stratified random
sampling in combination with purposive
sampling was used and total of 104
respondents took part in the study. Two
senior administrators and members of
promotion and appraisal committee served
as key informants. Primary data was
collected through semi-structured
questionnaires and interview guides.
Secondary data were obtained from policies
governing promotion and appraisal.
Qualitative data was analyzed into themes,
while quantitative was organized into
frequency counts and percentages. The
research found that career advancement of
women faculty at the upper ranks is slow
and that they are faced with several
challenges such as a busy university
schedule, vast institutional physical set-up,
biasness in the promotion criteria and in
minimal leadership experience, as well as
financial and time constrains. Women
faculty lacked adequate opportunities to
network and gain recognition, they also
lacked mentors and faced a lot of negative
office politics. To address these challenges
the study recommends the following
measures: provision of scholarships for
studying and research, introduction of
flexible working schedule, capacity
building, affordability of university press
and journal, transport and child care services
as well as accommodation facilities within
the institution. Gender sensitization of all
stake holders, enforcement of affirmative
action and reviewing of the promotion and
appraisal criteria is also needed. The
institution should embark on employing
more teaching staff and facilitate pairing
women faculty with mentors, as well as,
imparting them with skills on time and
stress management. This will go a long way
in enhancing the career growth of women
faculty in Kenyatta University.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Career Advancement, Promotion Criteria, Career Progression, Institutional Policies, Mobility
Citation
Malelu, A. M., Ngare, G. W. & Okemwa, P. (2017). Institutional factors influencing career advancement of women faculty: A case of Kenyatta University, Kenya. International Academic Journal of Arts and Humanities, 1 (1), 251-266