Exploring the Experiences of Female Graduate Students in African Universities: Questions about Voice, Power, and Responsibility

Abstract

Consistent economic downturns, political uprisings, and social upheavals from the 1980s have significantly depleted the quality of higher education in Africa, particularly graduate training. While remarkable strides in graduate training have been made in countries such as South Africa relative to other parts of the continent, policy and funding challenges continue to threaten the quality of students and programs. Over the past two decades, new forms of institutional collaborations aimed at revamping graduate training in sub-Saharan Africa have emerged. Debates on how to revamp the higher education system are ongoing among scholars, policymakers, administrators, and funders, but minimal attention is paid to the students’ voices, particularly women’s that speak to the dire conditions under which graduate training is carried out. To spur more discussion about this gap in literature, we conducted focus group discussions with female graduate students in four higher education institutions in Nigeria and South Africa. Our participants identified five major challenges that graduate students often wrestle with: financial challenges, limited sources of and dated curricular materials, institutional infrastructure and program logistics, academic supervision, and gender relations among students as well as between students and scholars. These challenges, our participants assert, often place female graduate students in a more vulnerable position than their male counterparts. Our findings, though preliminary, point to the need to actively engage students, especially women, in academic debates and initiatives aimed at improving graduate training in Africa.

Haciendo malabares con los compromisos y responsabilidades familiares en América del Norte: narrativas de estudiantes de posgrado africanos

“…Among them, non-traditional female African students bring a unique set of experiences and challenges as they embark on their educational journeys in this diverse and dynamic continent. The experiences of female African students are a complex tapestry of challenges and opportunities (Okeke-Ihejirika et al, 2019). While they may face numerous hurdles in pursuit of higher education, they build resilience and the potential to effect positive change.…”

“…Juggling family, work, and academics can be an intricate dance, which these students often find themselves doing. They balance multiple responsibilities, which can be mentally and emotionally exhausting (Okeke-Ihejirika et al, 2019). Non-traditional students might struggle to connect with their younger peers due to age differences and varying life experiences.…”

Leading Change in Gender and Diversity in Higher Education from Margins to Mainstream

“…However, many women students lack confidence in the campus health clinics due to poor infrastructure, inadequate numbers of staff and a shortage of modern, working equipment (Nwako, 2020). In addition, GBV is a prevalent occurrence across Nigerian universities and has been extensively researched (Anele, 2010;Denga & Denga, 2004;Ladebo, 2003;Iliyasu et al, 2011;Okeke-Ihejirika et al, 2019;Okoroafor et al, 2014;Onokala, 2007). Forms of violence include physical, emotional, verbal abuse, sexual harassment and victimisation of women students.…”