While the overall composition of the student body at South African higher education institutions is changing to reflect more broadly the demographic profile of society, there is no room for complacency, says Minister of Education Naledi Pandor.
In a speech prepared for delivery at the University of Cape Town on Tuesday, she said women — and particularly black women — remain under-represented in a number of key areas of study, such as science, engineering and technology, and in postgraduate studies more generally.
”Success rates of black students also remain lower than that of their white counterparts,” she said.
Much work still has to be done to address the access and success of women in higher-education studies.
”A range of interventions is required, including improved career guidance at school level and the active recruitment of women, scholarship support, academic development and mentorship.”
The retention of women and black people in the academy also remains a key challenge for higher education.
”Our figures for 2003 indicate that women make up 41% of all permanent academic staff in universities and technikons.
”However, the overall figure masks considerable inequalities. While women make up more than 50% of staff at lecturer level and below, only 17% of staff at the level of professor are women.
”Furthermore, the bulk of research in South Africa continues to be undertaken by white men, and particularly ageing white men. This must be addressed as a matter of utmost urgency, if we are to produce the next generation of black and women intellectuals,” she said.
There is a need for research on the factors influencing the advancement of women academics in South Africa — rooted in the country’s own context and experience.
Such research should inform strategies at an institutional and systemic level to improve gender equity in staffing in higher-education institutions.
Pandor said she intends paying particular attention to ensure national policy frameworks are responsive to gender-equity imperatives. — Sapa