Cultural Influences that Promote Gender Discrimination
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70619/vol4iss3pp9-15Keywords:
Gender discrimination, higher learning institutions, women representation, equality.Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the challenges women face to advance in a leadership position in higher learning institutions in Rwanda. The study was based on leadership and change theories. The underrepresentation of women in higher education leadership is a complex socio-cultural issue that was examined through a qualitative research methodology (Yin, 2016). The sources of data for this study came from individual interviews, focus groups, and document reviews. These different instruments helped in the triangulation of data which ensured reliability. From themes that emerged from the study, it was found that to promote gender equality in higher learning institutions in Rwanda, the inflexible cultural mores that discriminate against women must be acknowledged, challenged, and changed. A new model that integrates leadership and change theories should be developed and implemented to challenge cultural mores that promote gender discrimination.
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