Institutional Gender Representation and Career Progression Disparities at Management Levels in Selected Public Academic Libraries in Kenya

Abstract

The education sector is one of the most crucial sectors in the world. The very remarkable growth of academic institution has created massive employment opportunities for our educated men and women of our nation. These men and women play a vital role in the Kenyan economy, both socially and economically. However, most of these men and women employees face a lot of challenges at work, especially in career progression related issues. The overall purpose of this study was to examine gender representation and career progression disparities in the management levels of public academic libraries in Kenya. To achieve this, the study sought to find out gender representation in the management levels of the Kenyan public academic universities, determine the barriers hindering career progression of men and women managers, and examine the challenges affecting career progression of men and women at management levels in public academic libraries in Kenya. The study was carried out in selected public academic libraries in Kenya. These included four public universities within Nairobi county, Kiambu county and Uasin-Gishu county. The respondents included university librarians, deputy university librarians, senior librarians, librarians, librarian assistants and senior library assistants. The target population was 85 participants who were expected to participate in the study, and eventually only a sample size of 42 respondents was obtained. Relevant data was collected from the participants using structured interviews and questionnaires. A descriptive case-study research design was used. The collected data was coded into relevant themes, analyzed, interpreted and presented using qualitative methods for enabling to draw the findings and conclusions. Data was presented using tables, graphs and charts. The findings revealed that gender representation in public academic libraries was not balanced, and persons of female gender were more than persons of male gender. Disparities were also noted within their distribution in various departments, more women had attained higher levels of education than their fellow men colleagues, and women had also worked for more number of years within the libraries and in previous positions. It was also observed that, there was a supportive work environment within the organizations, though there were a few instances where the culture within did not encourage a fair job promotion practices. Selection process, networking, policies, rules and regulations in place, in the organizations were a great barrier to career progression. The study came up with several recommendations on gender representation in the management ranks, fair job promotion practices, education and training.