Factors Causing Gender Inequality in Education in Uganda: A Case of Jinja District Secondary Schools:

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Date
2018-02
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Volume Title
Publisher
Kampala International University, School of Education, Open and Distance and E-learning
Abstract
Education is the most important instrument for human resource development. Education is becoming a universal human right and an important component of women empowerment. Gender inequality in education is a serious problem in Uganda since independence in 1062. There is still lower enrollment rate for girls and higher dropout rates than their male counterparts in Uganda. This study explored factors causing gender inequality in education in Jii ja district’s secondary schools. The study was conducted in Jinja District using qualitative design. Forty three respondents were involved in the study through interview and focus group discussion. The findings indicated that inequality in access to education in Jinja district secondary schools is caused by various factors including poverty, inadequate school infrastructure such as hostels and dormitories, lack o toilets and special room for matured girls, long distance from home to school and lack of sex education and early pregnancies. These are as barriers to equality in accessing to education. Furthermore sexual harassment of girls by male teachers and community members, bad socio-cultural practices such as early and forced marriage, dowry. polygamy, religion and child labour practices prevent hundreds of girls in .linja district to access education. The study further found that lack of access to education for girls and women lead to poverty, increase of infancy and child mortalit~ rate, employment of women in informal sectors as well as increase of fertility rate. The stud~ established strategies to bring equality in education in Jinja district including gender mainstreaming in teacher training colleges, change of negative-cultural beliefs and attitudes through mass education, protection of women and girls from violence by establishment of strict laws. increase of girl’s enrolment and guidance and counseling programs.
Description
A Research Report Submitted to the Faculty of Education in Partial Fulfillment of Requirement for the Award of Degree of Bachelor’s of Arts in Education of Kampala International University.
Keywords
Gender Inequality, Education, Jinja District
Citation