Women’s career progression to management positions in Jordan’s health sector
ISSN: 1751-1879
Article publication date: 27 July 2022
Issue publication date: 19 October 2022
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to identify and explore experiences, perspectives, barriers and enablers to women’s career progression to management positions in the health-care sector and to assess women’s and men’s perceptions of the policies and practices of the health-care system concerning gender equality and nondiscrimination between women and men.
Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional survey was conducted among health-care professionals in ten selected hospitals, including physicians, registered nurses/midwives and pharmacists with or without managerial positions.
Findings
This study included a total of 2,082 female and 1,100 male health-care professionals. Overall, 70% of women and men reported that opportunities for advancement are based on knowledge and skills in their institution. However, 58.9% of women (p < 0.001) reported that women are more likely to face barriers to career advancement than men do in their workplace. Lack of women in general/line management and discrimination against women by supervisors at the point of promotion were the main barriers to women's career progression, as they were reported by two-thirds of women. The main barrier, as perceived by men (62.3%) was that women have family and domestic responsibilities.
Practical implications
To overcome barriers in women's career progression, there is a need to establish a career planning and capacity-building program for women in the health sector.
Originality/value
Jordanian female health-care professionals face different barriers that affect their career progression, including inequity and discrimination in the workplace, negative views about women’s abilities, lack of qualifications and training, hostile cultural beliefs and family responsibilities.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This research was conducted by the HRH2030 consortium through the generous support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Funding: This study was funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID). The funding sources had no role in the study design, data collection, data analysis, interpretation of data or in writing the manuscript.
Citation
Khader, Y., Essaid, A.A., Alyahya, M.S., Al-Maaitah, R., Gharaibeh, M.K., Dababneh, A.B. and AbuAlRub, R.F. (2022), "Women’s career progression to management positions in Jordan’s health sector", Leadership in Health Services, Vol. 35 No. 4, pp. 576-594. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHS-05-2022-0047
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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