Challenges to female college principals and vice principals: Patriarchal gender beliefs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to provide an insight view about the challenges to female government college principals and vice principals in Chitral, Pakistan. The study uses in-depth interviews for data collection and on the basis of predetermined criteria, the study participants were selected. The findings of the study explain that in district Chitral female government college principals and vice principals face socio-cultural, religious, and political challenges in their work place and remain under tremendous pressure that leads to limit their efficiency and restrict their professional growth. However, very few principals and vice principals are satisfied with their jobs because of supportive families. Therefore, the study recommends that these aspects be placed before forums for consideration to rightly empower the female principalship/education leadership for assurance of quality female education in Chitral and Pakistan, through real delegation of power with a conducive environment to female government college principals and vice principals.