Determinants of Gender Inequalities affecting Women’s Participation in Higher Educational Institutions in Maiduguri

Abstract

This study assessed the determinants of gender inequalities affecting women’s participation in higher educational institutions in Maiduguri. The study aimed at determining prevailing gender inequalities faced by women participating in higher education, the factors, and efforts of empowerment strategies to address these inequalities. The study was anchored on the patriarchal theory of state and adopted mixed method design of qualitative and quantitative. Systematic sampling technique was used to select 295 respondents using structured questionnaire design. The data was collected, transcribed, and analysed using statistical package for social sciences. The study revealed that cultural bias against women prevented their appointment to top administrative leadership positions in higher educational institutions. The findings of this study also revealed patriarchal beliefs against women’s position in the society placed them as recipient of persistent inequality practices. The study also revealed that empowerment strategies like education are other measures that can be used to address inequality practices against women. The study recommends improved government efforts at enforcing policies and prosecution of human right violation to achieve human right of women in the society. The study also recommends mainstreaming gender perspectives in higher educational institutions.