African Journal of Gender and Women Studies

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN: 2736-1578, Vol. 11 (1), pp. 001-007, January, 2026. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

From Policy to Practice: Assessing the Impact of Higher Education Transformation on Gender Equity at Gauteng University of Technology

Yvonne Senne¹* and Robert Rugimbana²

¹Department of Management and Enterprise, Faculty of Management Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa.
²Business School, Faculty of Management Sciences Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa.

Accepted 9 November, 2025

The need for more equitable workplace opportunities for employees is a well-documented area in management literature. More recently, research on the role of gender equity strategies is also prominent in the literature. An important lacuna in the equal employment opportunities (EEO) literature appears, however, to be the lack of focus on gender equity in higher education. Specifically, the in- attention to the influence of organizational policies, practices and processes on equity. This study applies a case study approach to study gender equity in South Africa, as a means of measuring the progress of gender equity in the South African higher education sector. The study examines pre- and post- level attainment of gender equity using gender representation as a measure of progress. Using gender profiling, findings suggests that current gender equity strategies may be at odds with the intentions of the transformational agenda in post-apartheid South Africa. As such, the paper highlights the need to fully utilize gender mainstreaming strategies as a means of guiding, planning and monitoring achievements of gender equity in South African Higher Education Institutions.

Key words: Equity, gender, transformation.
 

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN: 2736-1578, Vol. 11 (1), pp. 001-008, January, 2026. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Sexual Violence Against Girls in Schools: Analyzing Grade 12 Students’ Understandings and Attitudes

Kalula Mpiana

Department of Public management, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa. E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]. Tel: +27 73 2196 250 or +27 7318 51 585.

Accepted 21 October, 2025

There has been increasing levels of sexual violence against girls in South African schools. Girls continue to face obstacles to their learning even though some progress has been made in terms of gender equality in education. The opportunities that girls have to learn should in no way be compromised by their gender. Sexual violence leads to dropping out, interruption of studies, unwanted pregnancies and HIV/AIDS. Attitudes towards females feed in to the notion that coercive sex is not a violent act. Although this study focuses on the girls and recognized that boys are also being sexually assaulted.

Keywords: Attitude, girls, learners, school and sexual violence.
 

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN: 2736-1578, Vol. 10 (8), pp. 001-013, August, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Gendered Dynamics of Transnational Living: A Narrative Inquiry of Ghanaian Couples

Rodlyn Remina Hines, PhD, CFLE, CFCS-HDFS

SUNY Empire State University, New York. 

Abstract

Received 11 June, 2025; Revised 15 15 June, 2025; Accepted 21 July, 2025 and Published 13 August, 2025

This article examines the gendered dimensions of transnational living among Ghanaian immigrant couples who maintain marital relationships across international borders. Using a narrative inquiry methodology—specifically, in-depth life story interviews—and grounded in symbolic interactionism, gender theory, and intersectionality, the study explores the lived experiences of ten spouses—five women and five men—who live apart between Ghana and the United States. Data were collected between 2021 and 2022. Participants’ narratives reveal that while both men and women experience emotional and relational strain, these experiences are shaped in distinctly gendered ways. Women report heightened emotional labor, persistent expectations of fidelity, and long-distance caregiving responsibilities, while men describe social pressure to remarry and a disrupted sense of authority within the marital relationship. These gendered strains are exacerbated by irregular visitations, remittance obligations, and communication breakdowns. The study situates these narratives within broader Ghanaian cultural norms that prioritize male authority and female responsibility for kin care, while also examining how transnational conditions destabilize—but do not erase—those norms. By centering personal stories, the article illuminates how gendered power operates across space, distance, and cultural systems. While limited by a small sample size and the focus on Ghana-U.S. couples, the study offers practical implications for transnational family counseling and support services. This research contributes to feminist and migration scholarship by advancing understanding of how gender, place, and transnationalism intersect to reshape intimacy, responsibility, and identity in global family life.

Keywords: Gender and Migration; Transnational Families; Narrative Inquiry; Ghanaian Immigrants; Transnational Intimacy.
 

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN: 2736-1578, Vol. 10 (7), pp. 001-010, July, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Review

Polygyny and Women's Reproductive Autonomy in Nigeria: A Critical Examination

Omolade Olomola

Department of Private and Business Law, Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: +2348037176520.

Accepted 13 April, 2025

This article was guided by the identification of the challenges caused by polygyny as it relates to the reproductive health rights of women in Nigeria. Reproductive rights are not matters of choice but they are matters of life and death. Many women have died as a result of maternal morbidity and maternal mortality because they could not make informed right choices about when and how to have children. According to The National Programme Director of the Partnership for the Transforming Health System (PATHS) Nigeria is second in world maternal mortality, after India, which has the highest maternal mortality rate; and in totality contributes 10% to the world’s total maternal death. He reiterated further that statistics had also shown that Nigeria contributed only two per cent to the world population, but had one of the highest child and maternal mortality in the world. The study is conducted by examining on a comparative basis looking at the challenges of a multi-cultural country like Nigeria and what we can do to curb the upsurge of polygyny. Focus will also be on the way to protect women that are already in polygyny and to gradually discourage the practice the legislation and registration of all marriages. Legislations, case law and writings of legal scholars are compared and culture will act as a gauge. There is no doubt that Nigerian culture is far from being perfect. Culture is dynamic and the barometer for gauging any society’s progress is the extent to which it can decide on what to borrow and what to retain or throw away thus every culture needs to be liberated. This article lays a foundation for further research into reproductive right and also contributes to a better understanding of women’s rights as peculiar rights.

Key words: Patriarchy, polygyny, reproductive rights, sexual rights, sexual health, sexuality.
 

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN: 2736-1578, Vol. 10 (6), pp. 001-014, June, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Closing the Gap: Assessing the State of Women's Advancement in South African Organisations

Karl Hofmeyr¹* and Cindy Mzobe²

¹Gordon Institute of Business Science, University of Pretoria, 26 Melville Road Illovo Johannesburg, South Africa.
²Commercial Business Manager at PetroSA, Frans Conradie Drive, Parow, 7500, South Africa.

Accepted 22 April, 2025

This article explores factors that influence the advancement of women organisations in South Africa. Based on the sample of women working in different industries, this article investigates the barriers which they have to overcome to break into the executive ranks. Issues such as the dual roles played by women, the perception amongst some that men are “born leaders” and gender discrimination are investigated. The extent to which certain enabling factors are in place in organisations which support women advancement is assessed. The psychological effects that women experience as a result of stereotypes and barriers are also studied. The article proposes solutions to the challenge of the advancement of women and indicates on the basis of the research whether real progress is being made in South African organisations. It concludes with practical steps for leaders in organisations.

Key words: Affirmative action, employment equity, women in leadership.
 

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN: 2736-1578, Vol. 10 (5), pp. 001-009, May, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Empowering Women, Empowering Nigeria: Economic Participation as a Catalyst for Development

Ekesionye E. N* and Okolo A. N

Department of Educational Foundations, Faculty of Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.

Accepted 3 January, 2025

The objective of the study was to examine women empowerment and participation in economic activities as tools for self-reliance and development of the Nigerian society. Research questions and hypothesis were used to guide the study. Structured questionnaire was used as the major instrument for data collection. Copies of questionnaires were administered to 402 women randomly selected from 6 out of the 21 local government Areas of Anambra State. 351 copies of questionnaire recovered were analyzed using mean to answer the research questions and t-test statistic to draw inferences about the hypothesis. The results showed that: farming, trading, craft, food processing, hair dressing, poultry and the likes were the major economic activities performed by women in Anambra state. Personal savings, family assistance, philanthropist’s assistance, loans and credits, cooperative society assistance, group contributions, were the sources of fund available to the women for their economic activities. Education and health promotion, food supply and distribution, were some of the services rendered by the women that bring about societal development. Inability of government to provide support, corruption on the part of implementers, family burden, cultural restrictions, husband influence, illiteracy were the obstacles women encounter in carrying out their economic activities. Provision of sustainable land tenure system, provision of soft loans and credits, training programmes, funding, establishment of cooperative societies, were some of the strategies proffered to enhance women participation in economic activities.

Key words: Women empowerment, economic activities, self-reliance, societal development.