Effectiveness in leadership among females, especially in higher education, has been among critical research areas because of their ever-increasing representation in academia and consistent impediments they encounter in accessing senior roles in leadership. Despite having a huge progress in numerical representation, women are seen to be represented in fewer strategic roles due to being confined by structural, cultural, and institutional barriers, including gender-stereotypes and organisational cultures dominated by males and challenges associated to work-life balance. This study seeks to investigate a relationship between gender equality, leader competencies, and leadership effectiveness among women in higher education institutions, particularly in the East Coast Region of Malaysia. By employing a descriptive research design, an array of data will be collected from academic staff across public and private universities, polytechnics, and community colleges. Meanwhile, structural equation modelling of SmatPLS will be utilised to examine both the direct and indirect impacts, particularly the mediating role of leader competencies in shaping and elevating leadership effectiveness. Findings derived from this study will be expected to offer meaningful perspectives on how gender-sensitive strategies and the development of competence will amplify female leadership visibility, and its effectiveness and contribution towards institutional and national developments. This study also aims to inform policymakers and institutional top guns how to normalise inclusive, fair, and effective leadership practices in higher education.
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