Towards Gender Equality in Higher Education Institutions: Equal Female Academics in the Mediterranean during and after the COVID-19 pandemic

This work reflects on the COVID-19 impact on women scholars and suggests gender equality related some policies for the universities. The questions of a) how the current pandemic perpetuates existing gender injustices, and b) whether these can be mitigated through new caring social norms and soft leadership in Mediterranean universities, are addressed. Gender norms, roles, and relations that influence women's and men's work-life should be addressed if we want to use the lessons that the outbreak has brought. Some recommendations for policies are added. We can emerge from this pandemic more equal.