1st Edition

Gender-Inclusive Higher Education in Tanzania Transforming Academia

Edited By Susan P. Murphy, Perpetua John Urio Copyright 2025
    216 Pages 5 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    Whilst there is an extensive body of research exploring the barriers to gender equality and female empowerment in high-income states, there are far fewer systematic analyses within lower-income settings. This book draws on extensive empirical data to analyse gender mainstreaming and gender transformative actions in Tanzanian higher education.

    The book maps the practical landscape of gender mainstreaming across 14 universities in Tanzania, and the theoretical landscape of African theories of masculinities and femininities underpinning educational institutions and practices. It then assesses the Gender Awareness and Transformation through Education project, which was designed to support the development of gender expertise and capacities in research and education at one specific institution, across both its administrative and academic units. Current and future academics at Dar es Salaam University College of Education were trained in gender-based research and education, and a strategic plan was developed to guide in the establishment of a Gender Research Centre that will provide gender expertise in research and teaching to the College; and, over time, to other HEIs nationally and regionally. By bringing together real-world insights from action-based research, the book demonstrates the impact of real-time social change and gender transformation, with implications both for Tanzania and beyond.

    Bringing novel empirical insights and policy recommendations, this book will be of interest to researchers and policy makers across the fields of gender studies, education, and African studies.

    Introduction and Challenge   

    Susan P. Murphy and Perpetua John Urio

     

    Part I: Gender Relations and Knowledge in Tanzania

     

    Chapter 1: Gender Equality Practices in Higher Learning Institutions in Tanzania: Opportunities and Challenges   

    Ikupa Moses, Perpetua John Urio and Susan P. Murphy

     

    Chapter 2: Exploring Female Academics Underrepresentation in Senior Leadership Positions: A case of Public and Private Universities in Tanzania     

    Anna Mwakitalu, Joseph Roche and Susan P. Murphy

     

    Chapter 3: Exploring the Gendered Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Academic Staff in Tanzania

    Perpetua John Urio, Susan P. Murphy, Ikupa Moses, Consolata Chua and Immanuel Darkwa

     

    Chapter 4: Knowledge Mapping of African Theories on Gender Masculinities and Femininities: A Scoping Review    

    Ikupa Moses and Carlotta Smalen

     

     

    Part II: Insights from the GATE Project

     

    Chapter 5: Gender Awareness and Transformation through Education: the promise and perils of a participatory action research project

    Susan P. Murphy, Perpetua John Urio, Immanuel Darkwa, Christina Raphael and Ikupa Moses

     

    Chapter 6: Case Study: Disruptive development: Exposing and Unpacking Accounts of Gender Stereotyping in a Teacher-Training College - Tanzania      

    Samar Mudawi, Susan P. Murphy, Perpetua John Urio and Ikupa Moses

     

    Chapter 7: To what degree do students’ perceptions of gender norms influence their participation in Higher Learning? Case study of trainee-teachers in Tanzania 

    Consolata Chua, Catherine Devine, Perpetua John Urio, Ikupa Moses and Susan P. Murphy

     

    Chapter 8: Transforming Gender Relations and Dynamics Through Active Learning: A Case Study of the Effects of Gender Responsive Pedagogy Training in a Tanzanian Teacher-Training College

    Perpetua John Urio and Ikupa Moses

                 

    Chapter 9: The slow path of progress from institutionalising gender mainstreaming to internalising equitable gender norms: A case study of a Tanzanian higher education institution.

    Susan P. Murphy, Perpetua John Urio and Ikupa Moses

    Biography

    Susan P. Murphy is an Associate Professor in Development Practice as the School of Natural Sciences, (Geography), Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. Susan was the Co-PI for the Gender Awareness and Transformation through Education (GATE) Project. Her research interests are in international development governance, ethics, policy, and practice.

     

    Perpetua John Urio is a lecturer of Educational Leadership, Management and Gender issues from the Department of Educational Foundations, Management and Lifelong Learning, Faculty of Education, University of Education Tanzania. Perpetua was the Co-PI for Gender Awareness and Transformation through Education (GATE) Project.