GENDER EQUITY AND LEADERSHIP IN EDUCATION

1. GENDER EQUITY AND
LEADERSHIP IN EDUCATION
(MLM 520)
GROUP ASSIGNMENT
MUTUKU MWINZI – 19/02310
ANNAWATO – 18/03694

2. QUESTION: The effects of interaction
between gender and the structure of
education institutions: Effects on
leadership and the economy.

3. INTRODUCTION
Gender refers to the social, psychological, cultural and
behavioral facets of having a gender identification as a
man, woman, or someone else. On the other hand,
gender interaction refers to how gender shapes social
interactions in families, schools, workplaces, and public
setting. For instance, the power relation between a
female teacher and a male principal. Below are some of
the effects of interactions between gender and the
structures of education institutions: -

4.  Discrimination – free environment
Education made individuals to be aware of their rights on gender equity,
therefore every heads of institutions/organizations are required by the law
to provide safe working environment that is not hostile to
individuals/employees/students/supporting staffs based on gender
identity.
 Low academic achievement.
For instance, in educational institutions when the attitude of the teachers
tends to be in the favor of the boys, the female learners to be aware of the
conscious or unconscious in difference of teachers towards them which in
turn affect the interaction, self esteem and confidence in the learning.This
may affect the quality of learning leading to low academic achievements
for female learners.

5.  Negative influence on the subject choice students make.
Persistent stereotypes around the relative ability of girls and
boys in school have direct impact on the type of subjects that
students pursue. For instance, as students move into high
school, they tend to choose subjects conventionally associated
with and expected of their gender.That’s math and science for
boys, arts and literature for girls. Despite female and males
having similar levels of capabilities in math and sciences, the
academic choices of girls don’t often reflect their ability.

6.  Maltreatment of different genders in the institutions
This factor is very significant in most of the educational institutions not leaving
behind other organizations. Maltreatment affects the different genders in such a
manner that someone in power feels superior than the other hence demanding for
payment for offering certain services. For instance, a female teacher searching for
employment in a certain secondary school might be forced to get intimate with a
male principal in return of getting that particular job and vice versa
 Workplace prejudice against a particular gender.
In most societies, there is an inherent belief that men are simply better equipped to
handle certain jobs. Most of the time, those are the jobs that pay the best.This
discrimination results in lower income for women.Women also take o the primary
responsibility for unpaid labor, so even as they participate in the paid workforce,
they have extra work that never gets recognized financially.

7. Uneven access to education
Around the world, women still have less access to education than
men. ¼ of young women between 15-24 will not finish primary school.
That group makes up 58% of the people not completing that basic
education. Of all the illiterate people in the world, ⅔ are women.
When girls are not educated on the same level as boys, it has a huge
effect on their future and the kinds of opportunities they’ll get.
Lack of employment equality
Only 6 countries in the world give women the same legal work rights
as men. In fact, most economies give women only ¾ the rights of
men. Studies show that if employment became a more even playing
field, it has a positive domino effect on other areas prone to gender
inequality.

8. Job segregation
One of the causes for gender inequality within employment is the division of
jobs. In most societies, there’s an inherent belief that men are simply better
equipped to handle certain jobs. Most of the time, those are the jobs that pay
the best.This discrimination results in lower income for women.
Lack of legal protections
According to research from the World Bank, over one billion women don’t have
legal protection against domestic sexual violence or domestic economic
violence. Both have a significant impact on women’s ability to thrive and live in
freedom. In many countries, there’s also a lack of legal protections against
harassment in the workplace, at school, and in public.These places become
unsafe and without protection, women frequently have to make decisions that
compromise and limit their goals.

9. Lack of bodily autonomy
Many women around the world do not have authority over their own bodies or
when they become parents. Accessing birth control is frequently very difficult.
According to the World Health Organization, over 200 million women who don’t
want to get pregnant are not using contraception.There are various reasons for
this such as a lack of options, limited access, and cultural/religious opposition.
Poor medical care
In addition to limited access to contraception, women overall receive lower-
quality medical care than men.This is linked to other gender inequality reasons
such as a lack of education and job opportunities, which results in more women
being in poverty.They are less likely to be able to afford good healthcare.There’s
also been less research into diseases that affect women more than men, such as
autoimmune disorders and chronic pain conditions. Many women also
experience discrimination and dismissal from their doctors, broadening the
gender gap in healthcare quality.

10. Lack of political representation
Despite progress over the years, women are still grossly
underrepresented in government and the political process.This means
that certain issues that female politicians tend to bring up – such as
parental leave and childcare, pensions, gender equality laws and
gender-based violence – are often neglected.
 Societal mindsets
It’s less tangible than some of the other causes on this list, but the
overall mindset of a society has a significant impact on gender
inequality. How society determines the differences and value of men
vs. women plays a starring role in every arena, whether it’s
employment or the legal system or healthcare.

11. EFFECTS OF GENDER INTERACTIONS ON LEADERSHIP
INTRODUCTION
Leadership has been a part of human experience since
people formed groups to survive threats from the
environment, dangerous animals and other groups of
people; work cooperatively to achieve goals beyond the
abilities of individuals; and create families and various social
groups to satisfy affiliative needs.
To optimize leadership effectiveness of men and women, it
is important to go beyond consideration of biological sex of
the individual and simplistic generalization of what makes
male leaders versus a female leader successful

12. Attitudinal Drivers.
Modern thoughts essentially depict male leadership as being distinct
from that of females. Some academics contend that particular
attributes provide women an advantage over men in leadership,
including advanced intermediary skills, particularly in conflict
resolutions, strong interpersonal abilities and excellent
communication capabilities
Gender role
Previous research has shown that leadership effectiveness is
influenced by gender.
According to social stereotypes, men are more prominent in
leadership positions than women.

13. Decision Making
Making decisions is one of the factors that affect a leader's performance.
Men and women make decisions differently than they do, according to the
examination of gender in leadership.
Making decisions entails moral obligations and ethics, which is important.
Time management
In essence, efficient use of time improves quality performance and efficient use
of resources. Furthermore, completing the duties set on time makes it easier to
attain organizational or personal objectives in a systematic manner.
Both male and female leaders demonstrate strong organizational, planning, and
management skills, which are some of the key elements driving organizational
advancement in the intended direction.

14. Self – confidence
Quality leadership requires strong character engrossed by self –
certainty and trust for successful achievements. Pew Research center
(2015) indicates that women tend to internalize a second class
attitude that negatively affects their self-confidence. In essence, lack
of confidence reflects unworthiness in top position hence poor
leadership image.The relative deprivation theory stipulates that
women expresses satisfaction with little achievements as compared
to men. For instance, a woman would be contented to work in the
same rank as a man but with lower income levels than the male
colleague.The character of a woman to accept less than men signifies
low self-confidence and facilitates poor reward system in
appreciation of excellent leadership skills.

15. EFFECTS OF GENDER INTERACTIONS ON ECONOMY
INTRODUCTION
Gender differences in economic outcomes such as labor force
participation and wages have received growing attention
from economists in the last decades. Indeed, most readers
will know that on average, men are paid more than women
for the same work. While such information is important for
our understanding of the economy and people’s economic
lives, the role of gender in economics goes beyond such
descriptive differences in outcomes. Below are some of the
effects of gender interactions on economy: -

16.  Unemployment
For instance, theWar in Ukraine, the covid-19 pandemic, the
current food and energy price surge, and long standing factors
such as has widened already large gender gaps,
disproportionately affecting women’s jobs, incomes and
security. Globally, due to the covid-19 pandemic, more women
compared to men lost their jobs because women are more likely
to work in informal, temporary, and part-time jobs (the type of
jobs employers tend to cut first in a downturn) with lower pay
and less social protection. Also 80% of people displaced by
climate change are women (UNDP, 2016)

17. • Gender Equality
Macroeconomic and financial stability go hand in hand
with gender equality, which also promotes economic
growth, improves efficiency in both the public and
private sectors, and lowers income disparity.
• Gender Empowerment
In order to overcome crises like food insecurity, climate
change, conflict, fragility, and violence, gender equality
and empowerment are crucial.

18. • Investment reforms and Intervention
There is a need for investments, reforms, and
interventions to: a) strengthen and protect human
capital, including by addressing gender-based
violence; b) increase the assets, earnings, and
productivity of women farmers, business owners,
and employees; c) increase the participation of
women in the labor force and employment; and d)
encourage women's leadership, engagement, and
participation in decision-making in communities,
businesses, and the public sector.

19. • Gender Representation
Increasing the representation of women in leadership
positions is very critical. International monetary fund shows
that a greater presence of women in financial institution and
financial policy making goes hand in hand with greater
financial resilience. For instance, in corporate sector more
women in leadership are associated with better performance
and profitability respectively.