Dr Hesborn Wao, on Gender Equity in African Higher Education Institutions скачать в хорошем качестве

Dr Hesborn Wao, on Gender Equity in African Higher Education Institutions

Dr Hesborn Wao (African Population and Health Research Centre, Kenya), on Gender Equity in African Higher Education Institutions. Presented at the Association of African Universities (AAU) conference hosted by the University of Namibia in July 2023, under the theme: 'Advancing Excellence in African Higher Education.' Dr Hesborn Wao, from the African Population and Health Research Centre (APHRC) in Kenya, delivered a presentation on "Gender Equity in African Higher Education Institutions" during the 22nd Conference of Rectors, Vice Chancellors, and Presidents of African Universities (COREVIP). The event was held at the University of Namibia in Windhoek from July 4–7, 2023, under the theme: "Advancing Excellence in African Higher Education,' and was hosted by the University of Namibia. His presentation was part of Plenary Session VII: Gender Equity in African Higher Education Institutions, where experts discussed strategies to break down leadership barriers and promote inclusive academic environments. Key Focus Areas of the Presentation The discussion on gender equity emphasised several vital interventions for African universities: Dismantling Barriers: Tackling institutional leadership barriers faced by women through gender audits and data-driven approaches. Mentorship and Role Models: Creating mentorship programmes where female role models in higher education guide young academics to reduce the gender gap. Male Engagement: Actively involving men as allies in the transition towards gender equality. Policy and Sustainability: Reforming institutional policies to support measures that promote women’s advancement, while recognising that many current equity initiatives are donor-funded and may not be sustainable long-term. Equity versus Equality: Clarifying that equity involves recognising diverse circumstances and allocating targeted resources to achieve equal outcomes, whereas equality simply involves providing the same resources to everyone. Dr Wao's work at APHRC often focuses on "Individual Capacity Strengthening (ICS)," which aims to enhance the technical and interpersonal skills of African researchers to foster continent-wide self-sufficiency.