Rationale for Strengthening Women's Education at University and Higher Education Levels in Sub-Saharan Africa
The fact that only 1.3% of women are able to access university and higher level education in Sub Saharan Africa is a serious contributory factor to the weak position of women in the political, social and economic sectors. There are roughly three times as many men accessing university and higher education as women. In comparison, in developed countries, 53.6% of men and 59.3% of women were able to access university education in 2000. Having more than half of the population with university level education means that the democratic processes are fundamentally different in developed countries as compared to underdeveloped countries where generally only half the adult population is even literate.
Whilst there is a general need to increase the percentage of the population able to access university and higher education, the issue of women's access is of particular importance. Women in SSA are generally less educated and less able to control factors which impact adversely on their situation and welfare. The very low percentage of women with university and higher education has an adverse impact on development as a whole in SSA, with the following results :
" Women with tertiary education cannot constitute a critical mass because they are heavily outnumbered. As a result their influence is often marginal. " Those with university and higher education constitute a privileged elite who may not be perceived as representative of their less educated sisters. There is need to build a bridge between the women who constitute the educated elite and the mass of women, over 98% of whom do not have the opportunity to go to university and higher , and 48% of whom are illiterate. " Women as a whole may not enjoy the benefits of technically and professionally qualified women leaders who can represent their interests and needs adequately.
Even where such women are available, they may not be in a position to devote themselves to leading their less advantaged sisters, as they may themselves be struggling to establish their professional careers. " Development as a whole suffers because women cannot participate fully in the development process. " There is inadequate research, development and training in areas where women in SSA are presently occupied, such as small scale agriculture, where 80% of women are involved; arts, crafts and home based industries, which constitute an important source of income for women; local and regional trading, an area often dominated by women; etc. " There is inadequate research into the problems and barriers faced by women politically, legally, and socially. Without accurate and in-depth research it may be difficult to find practical solutions. " Women's health issues are not adequately addressed. This is especially true of poor rural women and low income urban women. The areas of reproductive health, family planning and HIV/AIDS infection require more serious attention.
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