Abstract:

Universities worldwide continue to exhibit gendered dynamics manifested in the persistent underrepresentation of women in leadership positions in academia when compared to men. Central Asia mirrors this trend, yet remains largely understudied in global higher education research, particularly concerning female leadership. Investigating women leaders in Central Asian academia is imperative for practical and scholarly reasons. Understanding the challenges women face in attaining and navigating leadership roles, the nature of positions available to them, and the factors facilitating their success and persistence can inform university human resource practices, as well as international and domestic gender equity-promoting policy initiatives in the region. Drawing on a qualitative phenomenological case study design, this study explores the experiences of female leaders in Central Asian academia using empirical data from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. A blend of theoretical frameworks was used in the interpretation of the study results, including human capital theory, psychosocial or gender-role theory, gendered organization theory, professionalization theory, performative leadership theory, and intersectionality theory. In-depth online interviews with 30 women (15 from Kazakhstan and 15 from Kyrgyzstan), who occupied leadership positions at various levels in several universities in the two countries, showed that gender-role expectations heavily influenced women’s career paths, often leading to conflicts between professional aspirations and family responsibilities. Furthermore, women encountered limited promotion opportunities, especially during childbearing years, due to gendered organizational practices and biases favoring men. Despite professional achievements, many women struggled with guilt and psychological stress from balancing work and family demands. In addition, informal networks and gendered practices within institutions posed additional barriers to women’s advancement. However, by peforming a variety of roles in different social contexts, women acquired agency and ability to outplay some of the social constraints, as well as to exert influence on the interpretation of gender roles within the societies. Notably, Kyrgyzstani women exhibited greater empowerment and confidence in their ability to achieve career advancement than their counterparts from Kazakhstan. Implications of the study results are discussed.