Factors Affecting Gender Equality in Private Higher Education of Ethiopia : The Case of North Gondar

Abstract

In most developing countries like Ethiopia girls and women are worse off than boys and men with regard to access to and participation in schooling. The various factors, which affect gender equality in education, can be grouped into demand and supply sides. On the demand side, socio-economic and cultural factors will affect the behavior and the choices of parents and students to join a certain department. On the supply side, political and institutional factors linked to the schools will affect gender equality in education. To examine these problems, the study will draw the following objectives. (1) To assess how socio-economic and political factors affect gender equality in private higher institutions of North Gondar, (2) To examine the cultural and institutional factors that affect female students’ participation in private higher institutions of North Gondar. To achieve the above stated objectives, the study will use cross-sectional survey on the basis of simple random sampling technique. The study will also use both secondary and primary data. Qualitative and quantitative data will be collected using open-ended and close-ended questionnaires, In-depth interview and focus group discussion. The sample population will consist of 406 female students of private higher institutions. To identify the major factors that affect gender equality in private higher education of female students, therefore, the study will dig out the various socio-economic, political and cultural factors. On the bases of the findings, policy recommendations will be forwarded in order to narrow the gap in gender disparities in higher education.