Education, woman and equality

Despite governments and business claiming that there is no longer any discrimination against women either in the academic environment or in the workplace, the reality tells a different story. There are still many more men in senior positions than women with only 13% of women represented on boards of listed companies. Furthermore more unemployment among women remains higher than in men.

Only in government are women truly making inroads. According to an OECD report called Closing the Gender Gap, nearly 45% of parliamentary members are female.

However in the broader society, what is disturbing, is that girls start out having equal access to education - almost as many girls as boys have access to and enrol in primary and secondary schools from the age of 7 to 15, however as girls get older their school attendance and performance drops so fewer girls than boys continue into tertiary education and ultimately the job market.

"It would seem that an overall patriarchal attitude still lingers within our communities with women, particularly African women, still struggling against traditions of early marriage and their duties as mothers, wives and care-givers," says Boston Marketing Manager , Kerry Damons.

This is highlighted in the OECD report which claims that 'women devote on average more than twice as much time to household work than men and make up 97% of caregivers who qualify for Child Support Grant.'

Furthermore many girls, particularly in rural areas, are often afraid to go to schools due to sexual harassment and abuse. At the very least many schools are not girl friendly, some being some distance from homes further exposing girls to danger when they walk to and from school. Facilities are also not adequate forcing them to rather stay at home.

According to Diane Eynon, a graduate of Penn GSE's Executive Doctorate Program in Higher Education, these conditions are illustrated by the fact that the number of woman enrolling in higher education is on the rise, except for one subgroup - black rural women.

She adds that it is important to ensure that all women - especially rural women - have access to education. "The government, the private sector and higher education and training should work together to design a comprehensive plan that would identity and create opportunities for women to actively participate in the formal economy."

The result of this lack of equality in educational opportunities means that the rate of unemployment amongst women remains high - in a 2007 United Nations report which looked at the status of women in South Africa, the rate of unemployment in women was 27% compared to 20% in men. Being uneducated and unempowered has meant that women simply cannot support themselves.

Several organisations have been formed in recent years in order to actively address these imbalances, for example, HERS-SA is working to enhance the status of women in higher education by hosting workshops and academies that empower female educators and with the aim of balancing gender representation in universities.

"The Women Entrepreneurs Fund" also aims to help educate women to create businesses of their own to provide independence and education opportunities. There is also the GEM - Girls Education Movement - which addresses those factors that make it so hard for girls to stay at school. GEM works to improve these conditions and to encourage girls at school to persevere, especially to receive a higher education.

As a major player in the education sector, Boston City Campus & Business College has recognised the need to ensure that women have equal access to education and the opportunity to advance themselves beyond their traditional roles.

"In fact Boston's course structure which offers a significant amount of flexibility is ideal for women who want to improve their education whilst still supporting the family both financially and emotionally," comments Damons.

Furthermore Boston offers support and guidance for its students which is especially helpful for women who are performing multiple roles and may need that little bit of help, guidance and encouragement.

She adds that the positive outcome of empowering women is well documented, with one of the results being an improvement in the overall economy and more sustained development.

"It is widely recognised that gender inequity is a serious impediment to poverty reduction, which is why it is vital to ensure that women have equal education and work opportunities," says Damons. "As a leader in education Boston will continue to find ways in which to address gender inequality in education."

Boston City Campus & Business College offers over 80 dynamic career courses at over 40 branches nationwide. Unisa degrees and media studies are also available at selected branches. Contact the Boston Head Office in Orange Grove on 011 551-2000, e-mail az.oc.notsob@ofni, visit www.boston.co.za, or Facebook.

7 Aug 2013 09:43

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