Women in Healthcare Leadership- Maintaining Work-life Balance

Abstract

Women leaders are marginalized in higher healthcare leadership positions. Despite being higher percentage in medical colleges, only few females join healthcare force and even fewer reach top leadership positions. The main reason for this fallout is fixed gender roles in society which mandates female to take care of 1,household. 2 Women continue aspiring leadership positions in all spheres of governance both in public and private healthcare settings; however, they face many challenges in taking leadership positions. Social and cultural barriers hinder women from attaining leadership positions. From the lessons learnt from women leaders, young women entering and excelling in careers and attaining leadership positions should be appropriately educated. Main factors identified by research studies are gender biased society and not maintaining work-life balance. The rigid mindset in male dominated culture denies women the opportunities to attain top management positions in healthcare settings. In response to these opposing factors women either leave healthcare force or opt for part-time opportunities.3,4 The objective of this article is to suggest strategies for advancing women leaders in clinical and educational healthcare settings. Women leader may exclude themselves from being a leader as cost of leadership overweigh, its benefits.