Edugist’s September roundtable has taken on the cultural and social stereotypes that have historically prevented girl children from accessing formal education with negative consequences for their career development and wealth creation opportunities.
The roundtable, moderated by Grace Aderemi John, senior correspondent at Edugist, brought together a diverse panel of experts and advocates who shared insights and strategies for tackling this pervasive challenge.
The discussions commenced with a focus on the underlying causes of gender disparities in education. Fataki Taiye Timmy, a rights and protection advocate, highlighted that girls often face societal pressure to pursue traditionally “acceptable” professions such as nursing and teaching, limiting their career choices. Poverty was identified as another significant factor exacerbating gender disparities, with economic constraints affecting girls’ access to education.
Oghale Abikele, a TV host and marketing communications specialist stressed that gender disparity and stereotypes often originate within families, where girls are sometimes conditioned to believe they cannot achieve certain heights. Abikele emphasised the need to challenge these entrenched beliefs and cultural norms, emphasising that media professionals can play a crucial role in fostering community engagement to drive change.
Panelists unanimously agreed that empowering families, especially those in rural areas, is vital to combat gender disparities. Economic interventions, alongside improved facilities that make education accessible, were suggested as key strategies. Access to proper hygiene facilities in schools also emerged as a pressing concern that requires attention.
Fatoki pointed out that African nations often have commendable policies regarding gender disparities in education. However, the challenge lies in effective policy implementation. To address this, the need for increased collaboration with all stakeholders was emphasised, ensuring that policies translate into tangible improvements for girls’ education.
The media’s role in raising awareness of gender disparities and combating stereotypes was highlighted as crucial. The discussion underlined the importance of regulating the content of textbooks in schools to eliminate gender biases.
Furthermore, it was suggested that education should be localised to address gender disparities effectively and protect the girl child.
Effective data management and monitoring were identified as essential tools in the fight against gender disparities. Accurate data is necessary to understand the scope of the problem and measure progress in addressing it.
Nyagaki Gichia, Africa Hub director at Team4Tech, emphasised the role of mentorship, especially women mentoring younger girls. The potential of modern technologies to bridge gender gaps and empower girls was also underscored.
Abikele reminded the audience that combating gender disparities is not just a societal fight but an individual one. The internalisation of gender roles and social norms can perpetuate disparities, making it crucial for individuals to actively work towards change.
Panelists and participants called upon girls themselves to rise above societal limitations. Girls were encouraged to prove their worth through intellectual capacity and skill acquisition.
The Edugist Roundtable on gender disparities in education access and outcomes in Africa served as a platform for deep insights, passionate discussions, and concrete strategies to address this pressing issue. As the discussions revealed, tackling gender disparities requires multifaceted efforts encompassing policy reform, community engagement, media influence, mentorship, and individual determination.
