Women Leading

Women Leading
Unlocking the potential of FEMALE leaders in education
Women must have more leadership opportunities and roles to improve society for us all. Whilst this is not unique to education, academia can set the bar.
Universities and colleges are places where women can access leadership skills, best practice for gender policies can be demonstrated, and new research on gender issues can be pioneered.
Women in leadership roles within universities and colleges can encourage more women to pursue leadership and counteract unconscious gender biases: transforming society so that it works better for everyone.
What we have done so far
We worked with a consortium of partners, including the African Association of Universities (AAU) and the Ghanaian Government's National Council of Tertiary Education (NCTE), to lead a study on higher education staff and academics in Ghana. We found that only 8% of professors at public universities were women across the whole of the country.
This, coupled with the country’s need of 5 times the current number of professors to meet its booming student population, shows the need for more female leaders is urgent.
In Nigeria, the situation is similar, with only 17% of principle officers at universities being female.
We are researching this topic alongside female leaders from across Africa, including holding focus groups and interviews.
There is a problem with women in leadership positions in academia, there aren't enough of them.
— ESSA (@ESSA_Africa) May 4, 2020
Our Programme Manager @JenniferNonye writes about the challenges women in sub-Saharan Africa face accessing leadership roles @NewsWireNGR https://t.co/KdoKEGctUE pic.twitter.com/88nrRDYZxB
Our African Evidence Research Database profiles African-led research, including female academics so they can gain funding and exposure.
We have also created a database called the 'African Scholarships Hub' to support young people in sub-Saharan Africa to find scholarships and funding.
We are building a coalition of universities, colleges, and organisations with expertise in women's leadership. Together we will co-create solutions based on the evidence we find through our research. These solutions will address the barriers women face and inform education policy and delivery in universities, colleges and beyond.
Life as a Female Professor in Ghana
Professor Goski Alabi is a professor at Laweh Open University in Ghana. Professor Goski Alabi took part in our Demographics of Faculty study and also features in our Impact Report.
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PARTNERS

Since its inception, Dubai Cares, part of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, has been working towards providing children and young people in developing countries with access to quality education. As a result, the UAE-based global philanthropic organization has successfully launched education programs reaching over 18 million beneficiaries in 57 developing countries.
Dubai Cares support programs in early childhood development, access to quality education, technical and vocational education and training for youth as well as a particular focus on education in emergencies.
“We are excited to announce our expansion into tertiary education, in partnership with ESSA. We believe this will help connect millions of students and graduates to employment opportunities and will be central to developing successful and sustainable economies and societies."
Dr. Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer at Dubai Cares