The UNESCO International Institute for Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNESCO IESALC) and the UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa (UNESCO Office in Nairobi) held a virtual kick-off meeting last Friday, 29 October 2021, regarding the joint research project about women participation in higher education.

The project, to cover three countries (Kenya, South Sudan and Uganda), is a follow-up to a recent global study led by UNESCO IESALC. The study found that from 2000 to 2018, female enrollment in higher education has increased significantly from 19% to 41%, even outnumbering male participation in most regions. Moreover, the report found that science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers are still men careers and only 4% of countries have achieved gender parity in tertiary education. As such, gender imbalances persist, particularly in Africa.

To understand this scenario further in the African context and to support women’s participation in higher education in Eastern Africa, UNESCO experts and consultants held a virtual meeting to develop the assessment and evaluation study in Kenya, South Sudan and Uganda. The study aims at helping understand the main advancements and challenges in building sustainable and equitable higher education systems in these countries.

The document – to be launched on Women’s Day, on 8 March 2022 – will map the regional scenario, providing data analysis about women participation in higher education in the three selected African countries, including elements such as general and per discipline enrollment, participation in postgraduate degrees, research performance, professoriate, leadership positions, cultural aspects and transition to the labor market.

The results will include policy recommendations to Ministries of Education, higher education institutions – including African Virtual University (AVU) –, academic and regional economic communities, as well as education institutions and interested actors.

Supporting women participation in higher education in Eastern Africa: building sustainable and equitable higher education systems in Kenya, South Sudan and Uganda

Introduction and welcoming notes

Saidou Sireh Jallow, UNESCO Nairobi Office

Daniele Vieira, UNESCO IESALC

Introduction of the meeting participants

Schéhérazade Feddal, UNESCO Nairobi Office

Endris Adem Awol, UNESCO Nairobi Office

Virginia Mumo Ntheketha, UNESCO Education Focal Point Kenya

Tap Raj Pant, UNESCO Education Focal Point South Sudan

Charles Draecabo, UNESCO Education Focal Point Uganda

Prof. Winnie Mitullah, consultant Kenya

Sibrino Farajallah, consultant South Sudan

Prof. Benon Basheka, consultant Uganda

Image of Sofia Shultz on Pixabay