WOMEN`S UNIVERSITY IN AFRICA

Transcription

1 2 nd ANNUAL DEANS AND DIRECTORS AT HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN AFRICA CONFERENCE WOMEN`S UNIVERSITY IN AFRICA Addressing Gender Disparity and Fostering Equity in University Education TOPIC: Gender Main-streaming and Women Empowerment at the Women s University In Africa Presentation by: Professor Charles Muchemwa NHERERA Pro Vice-Chancellor, Women s University In Africa VENUE: Wits Enterprise Conference Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa DATE: 30 August 2012

2 Perceptions of Gender Mainstreaming It is variously defined by different scholars and organisations. Most definitions however seem to agree that it is a strategy for consciously bringing to the fore, both women's as well as men's concerns in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all policies and programmes. It is intended to ensure that women and men have equal opportunities and thereby both benefit from all socio-economic and political processes. The ultimate goal is to achieve gender equality. From a university point of view, Gender mainstreaming is therefore the process of ensuring that the development and implementation of curricula, provision of facilities, recruitment of staff, enrolment of students and their welfare are based on the principle of nondiscrimination between women and men. However, at the Women s University in Africa we have a deliberate bias towards women in an effort to correct existing gender imbalances through affirmative action.

3 Gender Mainstreaming and Development Thinking In an effort to address the continued marginalisation of women, the Fourth World Conference on Women, held in Beijing in 1995 stated the need to include women in the design, implementation and monitoring of all development policies and programmes. Accordingly, the United Nations system was urged to promote an active and visible policy of mainstreaming a gender perspective. The Women 2000 Economic and Social Council (1997) recommended that gender mainstreaming be institutionalized through concrete steps, mechanisms and processes in all parts of the United Nations system.

4 Situation Analysis - gender imbalances Women in Zimbabwe have traditionally been disadvantaged both in the home and at work Sources of imbalances: Cultural - dominant patriarchal values, males assume a domineering role - girl child and women generally carry out most family chores Colonial legacies racial imbalances impacted more on women Gender based - girl child does not carry family name and therefore gets less attention - girls not expected to do well in subjects such as mathematics and applied sciences. Good ones seen as boyish Rigid time tabling in universities - excludes many mature women with personal & family commitments Recruitment structures dominated by men - men tend to conduct business in informal settings where family women may find uncomfortable, such as sports clubs and pubs.

5 Observations influencing the founding of WUA Women are a minority in universities and colleges, (especially in science and technology disciplines) Far more men possess higher qualifications and experience for senior positions than women The proportion of women holding senior management and other influential positions is low in relation to the prevailing demographic ratio

6 Founding of WUA Professor Hope Sadza Dr Fay Chung Founded the Women s University in Africa in 2002 to address the gender imbalances not only in Zimbabwe, but in the SADC Region and beyond. Former Public Service Commissioner Former Minister of Education and Culture

7 Table 1: Enrolment Trend Since Inception Year Female % Male % Total Annual % change , , , , ,

8 Figure 1: Enrolment Trend Since Inception

9 Table 2: Graduating Students Since Inception Year Female % Female Male % Male Total Total

10 FIGURE 2: GRADUATING STUDENTS SINCE INCEPTION

11 Establishment of the Hope/Fay Gender Centre The Hope/Fay Gender Centre being established to service all the University faculties in gender mainstreaming. It will be headed by a Coordinator and staffed with a team of experts in gender studies who will teach across faculties. The Centre will be expected to spear-head research on various issues concerning gender. It will be Afro-centric and unique with a home grown agenda but borrowing on best practices. It will seek to establish partnerships with international and national organisations such as the UN family, ACBF, NGOs and other development partners in its activities that include training, staff development, research, publications, and capacity building programmes for women. A stakeholder workshop held in 2011 to help in its conceptualisation The Sub-Forum of the World Women University Presidents Forum hosted by WUA on 15 and 16 August 2012 provided further insights into current issues on gender and women empowerment

12 WUA Hosts the Sub- Forum of the 6th World Women University Presidents Forum: 15 to 16 August 2012 THEME: Sustainable Development Through University Partnerships To Empower Women For Leadership Roles Sub-themes: 1. Strategies to strengthen university partnerships for the empowerment of women worldwide 2. Setting the Agenda to Address Women Empowerment Through Higher Education - challenges, opportunities, and achievements 3. Preparing women for leadership roles to promote equity and openness

13 Observations made at the Sub-Forum 1. Qoutes from Zim VP Mujuru One of the major impediments to our advancement as women has been lack of education and training at higher levels. Women will continue to be underrepresented in leadership roles until we start getting larger numbers of women with qualifications in those areas that are currently dominated by men. 2. Qoutes from WUA VC Hope Sadza Most countries, particularly in developing countries are unlikely to attain Millennium Development Goal 3 advocating the attainment of gender equity by 2015 The Hope/Fay Gender Centre is intended to conceptualise, study and research on gender issues from an African perspective. It should provide a platform for collaborative academic activities that will result in a deep understanding of gender issues and promotion of equity.

14 More quotes from the Sub- Forum Professor Liu Jinan, President of the WWUP Forum So far, over 600 participant women university presidents from over 60 different countries have attended our forum, showing the power, voice, and the expanding international influences of women university presidents. In promoting and improving all the possibilities in respect to the rights to existence and rights to development of women, equity in education is the most direct and basic of assurances.

15 Impediments to gender and women empowerment at WUA Continued patriarchal practices in the broader society (cultural excuses) Conventional full-time studies conflict with social responsibilities and careers of women need for ODL modes of delivery (e-learning limitations) Persistent harsh economic environment many targeted mature women fail to raise the necessary fees to attend university and therefore fail to enrol or drop out need for scholarships The science and technology programmes in which women are particularly under-represented require expensive facilities and equipment Large numbers of women not taking Mathematics in secondary schools WUA offering a foundation Maths course as a pre-requisite to enrolment need to encourage more girls to take Maths from early years Interview panels in both private and public sectors dominated by men Not enough female role models for young ladies and girls to emulate

16 Key success indicators of gender and women empowerment at WUA The Vice President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Joice Mujuru is a WUA aluminus A Story About Women in African (show 15 minute DVD)