Proceedings of The 5th Global Conference on Women’s Studies
Year: 2023
DOI:
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Leadership Attributes of Female Leaders in Higher Education in Uzbekistan
Nigora Mamadaminova
ABSTRACT:
Women’s empowerment in Uzbekistan has been a priority for the government, especially since 2017, although the government has implemented various policies and programmes to promote gender equality and women’s rights since the country’s independence in 1991. According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2020, Uzbekistan ranks 93rd out of 153 countries in terms of gender equality. Despite the increasing number of women in higher education, there is still a significant gender gap in leadership positions.
This study examines the leadership characteristics of women leaders in state universities in Uzbekistan. The research is based on a qualitative approach in which semi-structured interviews were conducted with three female leaders at different universities in Uzbekistan. The data collected was analysed using thematic analysis to identify common themes and patterns related to leadership characteristics. The results show that female leaders possess various leadership traits, including emotional intelligence, communication skills, adaptability and resilience. In addition, the study highlights the importance of a supportive family and years of experience in higher educational institutions to maintain effective leadership. The study contributes to the literature on leadership in higher education and offers insights into the unique experiences of women leaders in a Central Asian context.
keywords: educational management, female leadership, higher educational institutions in Uzbekistan, women empowerment