Women’s Role in Research in Public Sector Universities of Pakistan: A Case Study of University of Sindh, Jamshoro

Abstract

The active participation by highly educated women in any income generating activity plays a highly important role in ensuring sustainability of economic growth rate. However, even in 21st century, educated women in Pakistan are still a long way away from equal participation with men in many fields. Universities can play an integral role in creating opportunities for education and equitable employment. However, at university level, women’s role in research is negligible across the world as well as in Pakistan (European Commission, 2009). This may affect their career advancement in higher education sectors. Therefore, this research study focuses on analyzing women’s contribution in research in higher education sectors in Pakistan and to find out the major impediments of the underutilization of educated female human resource. The study has found that personality traits have significant positive impact on women’s involvement in research. However, due to the burden of domestic responsibilities, women faculty has not been able to find time to engage in research activities. Consequently, they stay fixated at junior level teaching and lower management positions at university level.