Women and Education

In my pursuit for a better and brighter future I have decided to go back to school for a post graduate degree. The programme is in the form of a two year block release programme and so far everything is on track, no problems there. What concerns me are the demographic characteristics of my class. There are 40 students in my class and only 11 students are women. 

That’s 72.5% men and 27.5% women. According to July 2012 demographics, the Zimbabwean population comprises 48% males and 52% females. Huge disparity I’d say.

What could this very small sample be saying about women and tertiary education in our beautiful country?

Could women be too busy taking care of families to further their studies?

Could women be failing to finance their education?

Could women be content with only an undergraduate degree?

Could women not be as driven as men?

Could women not value education to the extent that men do?

Could husbands be prioritising their own development at the expense of that of their wives?

Whatever the answer may be such statistics should be a cause for concern. Women’s right groups have many a times made justifiable noise about our low representation in senior management positions but are we as women doing enough to ensure that we are suitable candidates for these positions?

I am not a fan of the quota system where women’s issues are concerned. I don’t think companies should have a specified number of position in senior management reserved for women. What I believe in is equal opportunity. Women should be afforded the same opportunities that their male counterparts are given. Therefor we should arm ourselves with the qualifications and experience to be able to equally contest for the same job opportunities.

If you are a woman and have considered going back to school and found “reasons” why it was not possible, do yourself a favour and evaluate each reason that you gave. Honestly assess whether it was a reason or an excuse….