Babae Ka, Hindi Babae Lang: Leadership Narratives of Female Management Committee Members in a Philippine University

Abstract

In the Philippines, women are vulnerable to legal and actual inequities in all communities and fields of endeavor. In this current period, despite national initiatives on inclusivity, gender equity, and equality, women are still underrepresented, underpaid, and often discriminated against in different industries. However, in contrast, in a Philippine private university in Bacoor, Cavite, women dominate around 65% of higher leadership roles. With these contradicting situations, this current study explored leadership experiences and narratives of top female management committee members in an HEI. This research aimed to promote gender equality and inclusivity based on the implication of the merged themes. Employing a phenomenological-descriptive research design, pre-structured online and physical interviews were conducted with purposively selected co-researchers (n=8) handling relevant leadership positions. Based on the narrative analysis, lifelong learning, and relational leadership are the strengths that helped co-researchers attain their present positions. About their experienced struggles and challenges to thrive and aspire to higher management positions, gender stereotyping was highlighted. Moreover, significant realizations emphasized that leadership is not gender specific and that a collaborative approach, leaving no one behind, is essential in promoting inclusivity at work and in the school environment, gender equity and equality, and fairness.