Join us for the 2025 International Women’s Day Celebration

Theme: ‘Accelerate Action: Advancing Gender Equality in African Higher Education’
The Women in Higher Education Network (WoHEN), hosted by the Association of African Universities (AAU), invites all stakeholders to join us in commemorating the 2025 International Women’s Day. This year’s theme, “Accelerate Action: Advancing Gender Equality in African Higher Education,” underscores the urgent need to address systemic barriers and biases while taking decisive steps to foster gender equity across the African higher education landscape.

Event Details:
• Date: March 7, 2025
• Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. GMT
• Venue: Virtual Event – Register here – https://bit.ly/3F9mPyl

This interactive event will offer a dynamic platform to spotlight gender inequalities in African higher education institutions, assess progress, and chart actionable strategies to accelerate gender equality. Participants will engage with thought leaders and practitioners to explore ways of fostering inclusive academic environments, dismantling systemic barriers, and advancing the leadership of women in African higher education.

Why This Matters:
Gender equality in higher education is central to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to equity, access, and the democratization of education (Inter-Agency and Expert Group on SDG Indicators, 2017). While significant progress has been made in closing gender gaps in tertiary enrolment, disparities persist in specific fields and leadership positions, with STEM disciplines being particularly affected (Directorate-General for Research and Innovation Horizon, 2020; Tomassini, 2021; UNESCO Institute for Statistics, 2018).
Women remain significantly underrepresented in STEM-related programs. Data from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics indicate that between 2015 and 2018, female students comprised only 6% to 7% of those enrolled in engineering, manufacturing, and construction programs, compared to 20% to 21% of male students. Across sub-Saharan Africa, 2.5% of vice-chancellors are women and 5% of CEOs are women. Women make up 43% of those who receive tertiary education but hold 28% of formal sector jobs (McKinsey Global Institute, 2019). Only 24% of academic staff in tertiary education across sub-Saharan Africa are female (UNESCO, 2019). This lack of representation leads to the exclusion of diverse perspectives, limiting innovation and economic potential (García-Holgado, González-González, & Peixoto, 2020). Addressing this imbalance is not only a matter of fairness but also an economic imperative, as increasing the participation of women in digital and STEM careers has been linked to economic growth (Seo, Huang, & Han, 2017).
The gender gap in higher education is not just about access—it is also about career progression. Women face multiple barriers at different stages of their academic and professional journeys, with their representation diminishing from university enrolment to labour market participation and leadership roles (Seo, Huang, & Han, 2017; Amon, 2017). These challenges are influenced by structural and cultural factors, including self-efficacy, institutional biases, and socio-economic constraints (Leaper & Starr, 2019; Cadaret, Hartung, Subich, & Weigold, 2017; Salas-Morera et al., 2019).
Globally, no country has yet achieved full gender parity. The Global Gender Gap Report (2021) indicates that only 67.7% of gender disparities have been closed, leaving a 32.3% gap still to be addressed (World Economic Forum, 2021). While 95% of educational attainment gaps have been closed, gender disparities in academic leadership and STEM fields remain entrenched (García-Holgado & García-Peñalvo, 2022).
This year’s International Women’s Day underscores the need for accelerated action to eliminate these systemic barriers. Addressing gender inequality in African higher education will not only foster more inclusive institutions but also drive broader social and economic transformation. By tackling biases, supporting women’s career progression, and promoting institutional policies that advance gender equality, we can ensure that women are not only present but thrive as leaders, educators, and innovators in higher education.

Objectives of the 2025 International Women’s Day Celebration:
1. Raise Awareness: Illuminate the systemic barriers that hinder gender equality in African higher education.
2. Promote Actionable Strategies: Foster dialogue on pragmatic approaches to accelerate gender equity and inclusion.
3. Showcase Best Practices: Share successful models and initiatives that advance women’s participation and leadership in African higher education institutions.
4. Engage Stakeholders: Encourage collaboration among policymakers, educators, researchers, and advocates to drive sustainable change.

Expected Outcomes:
• A comprehensive documentation of the challenges and opportunities in advancing gender equality in African higher education as discussed during the session.
• Identification of actionable solutions and policy recommendations to accelerate progress.
• Generation of a communique for dissemination to key stakeholders and decision-makers.

Target Audience:
The event is open to all stakeholders in African higher education, including:
• Female and male Vice Chancellors, Presidents, Rectors, and other senior leaders
• Academic and administrative staff
• Policymakers and government representatives
• Civil society organizations
• Students and researchers

• Development partners

All stakeholders interested in the theme

Organizers:
• Women in Higher Education Network (WoHEN): WoHEN supports the effective participation of women across all thematic areas in higher education, including leadership, STEM, and the humanities.
• Association of African Universities (AAU): As the apex higher education organization in Africa with close to 450 member universities, AAU provides a platform for African universities to collaborate. The advancement of gender-responsive policies and practices in Africa’s higher education institutions is of prime importance to the AAU.
Join Us:
We invite you to be a part of this transformative conversation and to contribute your voice and expertise as we work together to accelerate action for gender equality in African higher education.

Register Now – https://bit.ly/3F9mPyl
For inquiries, please contact fnkrumah@aau.org or +233 246425147. Together, let’s accelerate action and drive meaningful change for women in African higher education.