Perspectives of Women Aviation Education Educators on Gender Disparity
Main Article Content
Abstract
The aviation industry has long been regarded as a male-dominated field, with women facing various barriers to entering and advancing within the profession. In the Philippines, the Philippine State College of Aeronautics (PhilSCA) stands as a prominent institution for aviation education. This study explores the perspectives of women aviation education educators on gender disparity in the college, seeking to understand the challenges they encounter, and the strategies for overcoming these challenges. The study employed quantitative research method including structured survey with women educators. Results indicate generally positive perceptions of gender representation, with low levels of reported discrimination or bias. While participants noted improvements in inclusivity, concerns remain about underrepresentation in leadership and the presence of subtle gender biases. Respondents strongly supported institutional strategies such as policy reform, mentorship programs, professional development access, and gender equality training. The findings offer practical recommendations for enhancing gender-inclusive policies and support systems. This study contributes to ongoing efforts to advance inclusive practices in male-dominated academic fields such as aviation education.
Article Details
References
Antloga, C., do Carmo, M. M., & Iglesias, F. (2025). Barriers and Facilitators to the Inclusion of Women in Aviation. In Women in Logistics, Transport and Commodity Sector (pp. 209-227). Springer, Singapore. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-96-2276-4_14
Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action. Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1986(23-28), 2.
Boquet, Y. (2017). Transportation in the Philippines. In The Philippine Archipelago (pp. 465-519). Cham: Springer International Publishing. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-51926-5_15
Clark, P. J., Newcomer, J. M., & Jones, A. M. (2015). Overcoming gender barriers in aircraft maintenance: Women's perceptions in the United States. The Collegiate Aviation Review International, 33(2). https://doi.org/10.22488/okstate.18.100505
Casebolt Ed D, M. K. (2023). Gender diversity in aviation: What is it like to be in the female minority?. Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research, 32(1), 4. https://doi.org/10.15394/jaaer.2023.1943
David, C. C., Albert, J. R. G., & Vizmanos, J. F. V. (2018). Sustainable development goal 5: How does the Philippines fare on gender equality? (No. 2017-45). PIDS Discussion Paper Series. https://www.econstor.eu/handle/10419/211005
de Andreis, F. (2023). Increasing the participation of women in aviation. Analysis and strategies in a male-dominated industry. In When the crisis becomes an opportunity: The role of women in the post-covid organization (pp. 399-410). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
Ferla, M., & Graham, A. (2019). Women slowly taking off: An investigation into female underrepresentation in commercial aviation. Research in Transportation Business & Management, 31, 100378. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rtbm.2019.100378
Galsanjigmed, E., & Sekiguchi, T. (2023). Challenges women experience in leadership careers: An integrative review. Merits, 3(2), 366-389. https://doi.org/10.3390/merits3020021
Gorlin, I., & Bridges, D. (2021). Aviation culture: A ‘glass sky’for women pilots-literature review. International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace, 8(2), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.15394/ijaaa.2021.1587
Gonzalo, J., Dumdumaya, M. T., & Fanoga, S. (2024). Exploring Gender Diversity in Aviation Education: A Comprehensive Review of Challenges, Initiatives, and the Path Forward. American Journal of Arts and Human Sciences, 3(4), 25-31. https://doi.org/10.54536/ajahs.v3i4.3660
ICAO. (2020, January 1). Retrieved from ICAO: https://www.icao.int/sustainability/Documents/Air%20Transport%20Gender%20Equality.pdf
International Air Transport Association (IATA). 2019. https://www.iata.org/en/publications/economics/reports/value-of-air-transport-country-reports/
Lenaerts, B., Allroggen, F., & Malina, R. (2021). The economic impact of aviation: A review on the role of market access. Journal of Air Transport Management, 91, 102000. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jairtraman.2020.102000
Light, B. K. (2024). The Underrepresentation of Women in Executive Leadership Positions Within the Aerospace Industry (Doctoral dissertation, National University).
Marete Ph D, C. K., & Wang Ph D, C. (2024). Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Trends in Representation of Women Professionals in the Aviation Industry. Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research, 33(3), 4. https://doi.org/10.58940/2329-258X.2069
Marete, C., Zakharov, W., & Mendonca, F. A. C. (2022). A systematic literature review examining the gender gap in collegiate aviation and aerospace education. The Collegiate Aviation Review International, 40(1).
Marintseva, K., Mahanecs, A., Pandey, M., & Wilson, N. (2022). Factors influencing low female representation in pilot training recruitment. Transport Policy, 115, 141-151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2021.11.010
Marshall, B. L. (1988). Feminist theory and critical theory. Canadian Review of Sociology/Revue canadienne de sociologie, 25(2), 208-230. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1755-618X.1988.tb00103.x
Morrison, S. M. (2021). Moving beyond representation: Reimagining diversity and inclusion efforts in the aviation industry. The Collegiate Aviation Review International, 39(1).
Ramoso, M. G. D., & Cruz, R. O. D. (2025). Contributing factors to aircraft maintenance technology students' readiness for the aviation industry. The Collegiate Aviation Review International, 43(1), 65–81.
Ramoso, M. G. D., & Ortega-Dela Cruz, R. A. (2019). Relevance of the National Research Agenda to the Research Initiative of a Higher Education Institution in the Philippines. Asian Journal of University Education, 15(2), 1-11.
Sobieralski, J., & Hubbard, S. (2019). Women in aviation: Identifying trends in industry and higher education. Navigating Careers in the Academy: Gender, Race, and Class, 2(2), 37-51.