Paper short abstract:

This paper seeks to examine the gender power relations in leadership in Nigeria by assessing the women’s attitude towards political participation at different levels of political activities and investigate the factors sustaining gender inequality in politics in Ekiti South Senatorial district in Southwestern Nigeria.

Paper long abstract:

This study focused on the pitiable marginalized condition

of women in leadership in Nigeria. However, this study examined the

level of women’s political participation in Ekiti South Senatorial

district: it assessed attitudes of women towards political participation

in Ekiti South Senatorial district. Finally, the study investigated the

challenges affecting women’s participation at equal level with men in

politics in Nigeria. The study adopted descriptive survey design.

Quantitative and qualitative data were collected for the study. Three

hundred respondents were selected for questionnaire administration in

the randomly selected Local Government Areas in the Senatorial District.

Six Focus Group Discussions and six Key Informant Interviews were

conducted among purposively selected participants for the study. Results

showed that the women’s level of political participation was low

especially at contesting for political posts which was (22%). Women had

poor attitude towards political activities by scoring 40.3 percent.

However, inferences drawn from the analysis of the study showed that

there were significant association between women’s membership in

political parties (χ2=17.292, p<0.001), age (t=3.272, p=0.001),

occupation (χ2=13.592, p=0.004), geographic areas (χ2=6.511, p=0.039)

and employment status (χ2=6.150, p=0.013). The study further identified

women’s restricted freedom, inadequate finance, insecurity, cultural

gender roles, lack of policy implementation and laws backing gender

affirmative quotas in politics as challenges causing gender inequality

in politics. Findings also showed that increased academic attainment by

women does not translate to increased level of women’s political

involvement. The study concludes that improving women’s attitude as

crucial for bridging the gender gap in political participation.

Paper short abstract:

Gender; Patriarchal Culture and the Influence on Women's Leadership Positions in Higher education in South Western Nigeria

Paper long abstract:

Women have not experienced much leadership advocacy from

men. Much of the scholarly works to promote gender equality in Higher

institutions centred mostly on the opinions of female. Yet, there is

little academic work on gender-based analysis on women leadership

advocacy in higher institutions. The aim of this paper is to examine

patriarchal culture and women ascendancy to leadership positions in

tertiary instructions in South West Nigeria from both gender. The

research problem of this study is articulated through the following

research questions: how do female academics experience patriarchy? How

does patriarchy impact on their upward mobility? And, how does

patriarchy affect their academic output? A purposive sampling was used

to select 40 women and men academics within higher institutions in south

western Nigeria. Data was collected through indepth Interviewing (IDI)

and information was analysed through content analysis and ethnographic

summaries. The findings revealed the responses from women at some

institutions experienced male supremacy, disempowerment, and disrespects

of womenfolk, men on the other hand believed that some women want easy

way out and not adequately empowered through research, networking

,publications that will improve their academic mobility . Another

finding is that patriarchy impacts on their upward mobility and deprives

them of promotions they deserve. The participants also felt that the

reigning patriarchal environment does not only impact on their academic

output but also on their intellectual and emotional wellbeing and their

person. The findings informed recommendations that would enable

sustainable corrective measures.

Paper short abstract:

Patriarchal faith based organisations represent one of the critical formal and informal educators in human affairs. Few women have tried to break the glass ceiling and tear the strait jacket fashioned by religion for women with interesting results where a semblance of equality was achieved.

Paper long abstract:

Since the days of yore, faith based organisations have claimed through the tenets of their religion that women are inferior to men and they cite a higher power as responsible for this dichotomy. The fact that they are patriarchal in nature plays a significant role in gender inequality globally by labelling women as inferior and subservient beings. This long held belief as inculcated and entrenched in the psyche of homo sapiens is being currently challenged by female activists who are influence mongers in such faith based organisations. The wives of influential faith The local and international philanthropic contributions of these some faith based leaders have used the platform of their husbands to challenge women to better themselves economically, politically and psychologically and usually cite the time worn axiom that “what a man can do, a woman can do better”. Although it seems as though this axiom is weak, there seems to be some tangible change as typified by the gradual erosion of the inequality between the sexes. Given the wide coverage enjoyed by these faith based organisations both on traditional and social media, more women are being empowered to awaken and utilise their skills, talents, intelligence and influence via a change in their perception of themselves. A series of scenarios on this play of power via subtle and open education in churches, mosques and traditional religion are critically examined.

Paper short abstract:

In this discussion, we are looking at the lived experiences of female students who have been marginalized in leadership and how university management is putting in efforts to develop effective culture which will help institutions in Ghana in order to help change the status quo.

Paper long abstract:

The subject of female student leadership has become a topical issue in most tertiary institutions in Ghana. However, the phenomenon has been of little concern to researchers. While most male students are championing male student leadership, majority of the female students are also supporting the course because of various reasons discussed in the study. Despite the efforts being put in by the Centre for gender, research, advocacy and documentation (CEGRAD) and other groups on various campuses, there are still large disparities even at the level of assistant positions in student leadership. The glass ceiling is still a bone to contend with when it comes to female student leadership in the University of Cape Coast. The study therefore sought to explore the extent to which female students aspiring for leadership have been neglected and campaigned against and the efforts of University management to help change the situation. This study was approached from the interpretivist paradigm using the lived experiences of twenty female students and ten members of the University management committee. Participants were selected purposively and by snowballing. The participants were interviewed by using a semi-structured interview guide. The participants discussed their experiences and perspectives on female student leadership, campaign encounters as well as strategies adopted to safeguard female leadership and eliminate sexism in leadership in the University. A thematic analysis found that the arguments about low representation of females in student’s leadership are stemming from socialization, marginalisation and the patriarchal system of leadership in Ghana.

Paper short abstract:

The Indian constitution mandated 33% reservation for women in the local governance empowering them as decision makers in the implementation of government initiated development schemes. This paper examines the impact of women's role on the development outcomes of two such schemes in rural India.

Paper long abstract:

The Indian constitution provides thirty three percent reservation to women in the governance of local Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI) since 1993 as elected representatives. A direct consequence of it is the leadership role women have in decision making in implementation of the government initiated development programmes. In this paper we examine whether the PRIs headed by the women perform better in implementing development programmes with a special focus on the mid-day meal scheme for the rural children attending primary and upper primary schools and (Indian) National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) launched in 2006. Using a unique data from the India Human Development Survey (IHDS), a large repeated household survey during 2004-05 and 2011-12, we examine changes in the lives of households (N=27,000, approximately) selected from about 1500 villages located in 33 Indian states and union territories. In IHDS surveys, information on various development schemes implemented in the villages along with the structure of PRIs is reported. We analyse the performance of the NREGA and mid-day meal schemes to see whether local governments in the villages headed by the women perform better than the other villages.

Paper short abstract:

Using qualitative in-depth interviews and group discussions of some purposively sampled rural families in the in the Volta region of Ghana, this study seeks to examine the influence of sexual and reproductive health education on young people's sexuality and curriculum reform strategies in Ghana.

Paper long abstract:

Background: One of the essential elements of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education is to empower young women to make informed choices about their bodies and sexual choices. Yet, we know little about what parents of these young women think and know about sexuality education; the specific ways and means through which sexual and reproductive health education empowers the sexuality of young women and the gender dynamics in these interactions.

Methods & Key Objectives: Using qualitative in-depth interviews and group interviews of purposively sampled households and opinion leaders in rural families in the Volta region of Ghana, this study seeks to examine the influence of SRH education on young women's sexuality. The study will be guided by two theories, namely, the theory of cultural reproduction and social reproduction by Pierre Bourdieu and black feminist thought as espoused by Patricia Hill Collins. We argue that although culture may be seen to be repressive of sexuality education, teaching young women SRH issues will empower them to make informed choices about their sexuality.

Potential Impact: Findings from this research will enhance our understanding of SRH education, gender and culture on education; and will be used to inform stakeholders and policymakers interested in comprehensive sexuality education-of young women-across Ghana as part of educational reforms in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Paper short abstract:

Intra-Household resource allocation clearly favors men in a patriarchal society. However, the evidence suggests that resources at the disposal of women best spent on the welfare of whole household. This paper answers if education defies these deep-rooted cultural norms of male superiority.

Paper long abstract:

Household resource allocation clearly favors men in a patriarchal society, though women best spent resources on the overall welfare of the household. This paper answers if education defies these deep-rooted cultural norms of male superiority. To carry out the research, we played a household allocation game to explore the impact of economic entitlements on intra-household altruistic choices among spouses controlling for their socio-economic circumstances (age, education, years being married, number of children, monthly household income, savings, conflict, household size, household structure and house ownership, among others). Extra-lab experiment is being conducted and subjects are studied under two different treatments (effort and non-effort). Subjects were given a choice between private consumption bundle and joint consumption bundle under both the treatments. Our results show that in a patriarchal society women are more altruistic as most of them preferred joint consumption bundle over the private consumption bundle in both the treatments even after controlling for their education. Men, on the other hand, preferred private consumption good particularly in the effort treatment. Our results hold their significance even in the presence of conflict among the spouses. The insignificant coefficient of education further advocate that, cultural norms and attitudes regarding the male superiority are so embedded in our society that education hardly makes a dent. The findings advocate institutions to recognize and empower women for leadership role in household resource allocation which eventually not only leads to more symmetric power relations among spouses but also inches towards socially optimal levels of equilibrium.

Paper short abstract:

Gender sensitive early childhood education is becoming an important tool for addressing gender gaps. The paper examines the gender sensitivity of early childhood education policy in Nigeria using an exploratory method to identify gaps and opportunities in the Nigerian Basic Education Policy.

Paper long abstract:

Concerted efforts to close gender gaps globally are yet to yield a hundred percent success. Gender-based inequalities in education processes and outcomes— e.g., method of teaching, teaching curriculum, different education aspirations, labor market discrimination, and restricted female leadership—persist as a result of deeply entrenched gender stereotypes that are formed early in life. There is a growing interest in the importance of early childhood education as a crucial factor in the promotion of/or otherwise the development of deeply engrained gender norms and social disparities among boys and girls in recent times. Incorporating a gender perspective into early childhood teaching unlocks children's potential at the very foundation of their development, which can build a sustainable approach to gender equality and quality education, and foster the development of human resources for the whole society.

The paper aims at examining the early childhood education policy in Nigeria for their gender sensitivity and suggests ways for bridging gender gaps and the achievement of gender equality through reforms in early childhood education policy.

Using an exploratory method to identify the gaps and opportunities in the Nigerian Basic Education Policy and drawing from a review of global examples, the paper concludes by advocating for an early childhood education policy reform that is gender sensitive as crucial in addressing gender gaps especially in leadership in Nigeria.

Paper short abstract:

In India, educational disparities across gender and socio-religious groups observed through different stages of education ladder widen at higher education completion level. We argue that dearth of women leaders from disadvantaged groups' results from virtual absence of college graduates among them.

Paper long abstract:

The process of human capital accumulation in India has been rather lopsided to the detriment of the less privileged groups - be it women or historically disadvantaged groups. Using pooled data from NSS - 1999-00, 2004-05 and 2011-12, the paper examines education transitions across socio-religious groups (SRGs) and gender for individuals aged 6-29 years. Firstly, there has been a substantial education expansion in the country - there were no stark community or gender differences for school enrolment, primary and middle level completion in 2011-12. Secondly, though likelihood of college completion has significantly improved between 1999-00 and 2011-12 but hierarchy across SRGs and gender was quite evident. Although disadvantaged sections of both Muslims and SCs are subject to affirmative action, disadvantaged Muslims particularly their women performed poorly than all other SRGs.

It is well established that education particularly higher education has an intrinsic value in terms of inculcating self-confidence and empowering individuals besides other overt labor market benefits. In this regard, our paper argues that an interplay of gender norms and lower likelihood of college level completion particularly from disadvantaged groups of women results in their poor representation in leadership roles.

Paper short abstract:

In this paper, we examine key perspectives of research studies on leadership in early childhood education, using international leadership frameworks, and evaluates the possibilities of a hybrid of leadership model in ECE in Nigeria. The implication for ECE leadership reform was recommended.

Paper long abstract:

Despite an increasing body of research on professional leadership in education globally, few studies have addressed issues directly associated with leadership framework in an emerging field of early childhood education in the Global South. In this paper, we intend to examine key perspectives of research studies on leadership frameworks related to democratic, distributed and pedagogical leadership to come up with a robust leadership model that is both contextual and globalized in early childhood education (ECE) in Nigeria. We reviewed twenty-five published research articles on leadership models in Europe, America and Australia. The paper discusses lessons that Nigeria can learn from international leadership frameworks and evaluates the possibilities of a hybrid of leadership models in early childhood education. Suggestions are made as to how ECE stakeholders can conceptualize and understand issues that bother on effective leadership in Nigeria.

Keywords: Leadership, Early Childhood Education (ECE), Nigeria

Paper short abstract:

We consider the influence of politics on girls' education in Ethiopia, including how the wider political context shapes what is possible in relation to girls' education and how gender inequalities within the system impact progress in girls' education.

Paper long abstract:

A key question we pose in this paper is why the education system has not yet managed to deliver inclusive and quality learning for girls given the significant commitment to girls' education and the range of programmes directed for these aims. Drawing on empirical research carried out as part of the RISE Ethiopia research study, we make use of the Domains of Power framework (Hickey & Hossain, 2019) to consider the influence of politics in girls' education in Ethiopia. We first outline how the political context has, to some extent, shaped what is possible in relation to girls' education. We move then to consider what is taking place within the education system. In particular, we consider how, over time, gender inequalities within the system have limited the progress that can be made in advancing gender equality in education. This includes both the representation of women within the system, but also more subtle forms of gender inequalities represented through the attitudes, behaviour and action of those working in the education system. We end by highlighting the need to address these forms of gender inequality to ensure high-level commitments are translated into meaningful and sustainable progress in girls' education.

Paper short abstract:

This paper examines gender and human capital development with evidence from higher institutions in Nigeria. It applies a survey method of research using the questionnaires administered to participaants. Findings show a clear gender disparity in human capital and a patriarchal system and structure.

Paper long abstract:

Expanding opportunities to acquire education has been challenging especially for females when primary school enrolment is considered. The disparity becomes more obvious at secondary and tertiary schooling. This has led to countries focusing attention on gender inequality through Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that metamorphosed into Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Consequently, this paper examines gender and human capital development with evidence from selected higher institutions in Nigeria. It applies survey method of research using the questionnaires administered to participating higher institutions. It applies Gender Parity Index (GPI) for data analysis. This indicator divides female share of a variable by the male share of such a variable to indicates parity between female and male. A GPI of less than 1 suggests females are more disadvantaged than males and a GPI of greater than 1 suggests the other way around. Findings show a clear gender disparity in human capital development by inference, there is socially constructed negative attitudes towards women as professionals that hampers academic achievements and professional development for women. It also reveals a, patriarchal system and structures. The paper recommends that institutions should set gender goals, strategies and activities for gender mainstreaming in human capital development. Eliminating gender disparities in human capital development would help enhance the status and capabilities of women and inclusiveness for nation building.

Paper short abstract:

The paper will use the Harvard Analytical framework to analyse how leadership in educational institutions are challenging the asymmetries in power relations in Africa. It will examine how policies made from Ivory towers engenders or propel upsurge of leadership.

Paper long abstract:

Over the years, there have been extreme inequalities between men and women, which has been propelled and sustained by religion, culture, patriarchal nature of most societies leading to men becoming more powerful in most sectors of the society given the unequal access of women to resources. The result has skewed power relations in favour of men. However, various agencies through formal and informal education are beginning to enlightening the community of the danger inherent in entrenching patriarchy at all levels. This study, therefore, adopts the Harvard Analytical Framework to analyse ethnographic and quantitative data gathered from Nigeria Universities to examine how various leadership models are challenging the asymmetries in power relations and also building up a pool of leadership in both genders. Using cases from Nigerian Universities. The study reveals the dynamic nature of power relations. It reveals how unequal access to resources entrench patriarchy and how formal education is helping to break the status quo.