Higher Education

Over the last three decades there has been increased participation of women in higher education. However, there still are broad regional differences in the availability of higher education for women and in women's access to these opportunities. Moreover, women tend to concentrate in traditionally "female" subject areas such as social sciences and the arts. Gender disparity persists in the types of jobs women and men get and in whether they are promoted.

There is a global trend that women tend to constitute most of the clerical support staff in the education sector whereas they are under-represented in academic positions. This is especially true in Science and Technology Institutions and in subjects such as science, mathematics and engineering. Furthermore, women are increasingly disadvantaged as they move up the educational ladder. Lack of representation of women in top management and senior administrative positions reduces their ability to influence the policy and direction of their institutions.

Strategies to promote gender equality and enhance the contribution of women in higher education need to be put into put at different levels. This starts with gender responsive education that is free of gender stereotyping and equips both girls and boys with leadership skills. This will significantly contribute to more equal streaming of boys and girls regardless of their sex. This needs to go hand-in-hand with universities creating an enabling environment, gender-friendly and free of discrimination, to help break through the "glass ceiling". Additional needs are more training in management and leadership skills for women and greater opportunities to pursue post-graduate studies.

More research is also required on gender issues in classroom interaction and curriculum, as well as a deeper analysis of the organizational barriers that stand in the way of women. Ways are needed to remove these barriers and to institutionalize gender mainstreaming.

Women's Studies and Gender Studies programmes make significant contributions to gender and development across the region and internationally. Offerings include courses of study toward sundergraduate and graduate degrees; and support for research, activism, and development through centers of WID, GAD, and Women's Studies. UNESCO supports gender and women's studies scholars to develop new and enhanced programmes, working within a rights-based framework for increased scholarship, research, advocacy, and action.