African Journal of Gender and Women Studies

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN 2516-9831 Vol. 2 (2), pp. 069-075, February, 2017. © International Scholars Journals 

Full Length Research Paper

A study of the perspectives and reporting patterns of sexual harassment among staff and students at the University of Zambia

James Kampyongo, Chitalu Kalima and Inonge Kambwili

Department of Gender Studies, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zambia.

Accepted 22 September, 2016

*Corresponding author email: [email protected]

Abstract 

The study was conducted to explore the perspectives, understanding and reporting patterns of sexual harassment, among staff and students at the University of Zambia (UNZA). The participants included 76 academic staff, 128 non academic staff and 885 students who were randomly selected from the different schools at UNZA. A self-reported questionnaire was developed and piloted for use in this study. The results indicated that sexual harassment occurred among different categories of the UNZA community, with 37% of all the participants reporting to have been sexually harassed. There was found to be a discrepancy in the understanding of the term sexual harassment with majority of the participants only recognizing overt acts such as “subtle or overt pressure for sexual favors” to be acts of sexual harassment. Reporting of sexual harassment was found to be minimal, with only a quarter of those who were sexually harassed having told someone about the act. The majority of those who were sexually harassed did not make a formal complaint because they were embarrassed or they did not believe any action would be taken. It may be concluded that sexual harassment at the UNZA is a challenge to be addressed seriously.

Keywords: Sexual harassment, university, HIV and AIDS, academia, students, gender.

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN 2516-9831 Vol. 2 (3), pp. 089-094, March, 2017.  © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

An assessment of the role of gender differences in choosing leadership style

Hassan Sagar¹, Sadir Khaled¹ and Abdul Gorgani²

¹Department of Management, College of Management and Economics, Kerman, Kerman Province, Iran.

²Department of Gender Studies, Faculty of Humanities and Social Science, Karaj and Tehran, Iran.

Corresponding author. Email: [email protected].

Accepted 12 August, 2016

Abstract

One of the topics that has engaged the human mind all the time, is a major difference created among human beings in terms of gender. Perhaps one of the first questions a human being asked himself/herself has been that what these differences mean, and what has been the necessity of human beings being created in two or according to a more contemporary narrative in more than two sexes. Men and women, from a long time ago have recognized the world very differently compared to each other, and sometimes the distance between the two sexes has been so much that they have been referred to as two different planets. This article is written to understand this point whether the gender difference Have any effects on selecting a certain leadership style by managers or not? And whether this selection by managers leads to the crisis preparedness or crisis proneness in the complex under their order or not? This point can be useful to all those organizations, in some way, facing this question of what kind of management and which style of leadership to use for the success of their organization. This research is considered as an applied theoretical study .In this study, in order to find an answer to our question, a questionnaire has been designed and distributed among the managers of governmental Organizations in Kerman City. The sample size was extracted according to Cochrane formula and a final number of 180 questionnaires were determined. The results of this research indicate the fact that there exists a significant relationship between in Kerman city's governmental organizations managers' sex and the type of their leadership style and consequently their attitude toward the crisis. On the other hand, the managers' type of attitude toward crisis, may lead to crisis preparedness or crisis proneness within the organizational framework of their complex. This study confirms the fact that gender is an influencing factor in incidence or absence of crises and organizational crises in particular.

Key words: crisis, leadership style, gender, crisis preparedness, crisis proneness.

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN 2516-9831 Vol. 2 (3), pp. 076-088, March, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of gender differential in life expectancy

*Kayode Ajibola, John  Olanrewaju and Gbenga Bamidele

Department of Epidemiology and Community Health Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding Author E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 22 October, 2016

Abstract

Within populations, differences in life expectancy exist; that is, with regard to gender. The longevity gap between male and female has been in existence since the creation of man and the gap persists across the globe, from developed to developing nations. Females tend to outlive males in all populations, and have lower mortality rates at all ages, starting from infancy. However, the degree to which females outlive males varies; the difference is around three years in the less developed countries and approximately seven years in developed countries. The interaction of genetic and environmental risk factors and socialization are responsible for longevity difference by gender. A sex-specific consideration of risk behavior and quality of life suggests that a healthy lifestyle, relevant information and preventive measures particularly in males must be initiated before puberty if they are to have a positive effect on mortality and morbidity during the course of a person's life.

Key words: Gender, life expectancy, longevity, determinants.

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN 2516-9831 Vol. 2 (1), pp. 057-068, January, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Hindrances encountered by women entrepreneurs in accessing financial opportunities in South Africa

Gary Coetzee Musk¹, G. H. Botha²* and Bernand Shaun Neil¹

¹Department of Entrepreneurship and Business Management, Faculty of Business, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Town, South Africa.

²Department of Industrial Psychology and People Management, Faculty of Management, University of Johannesburg, South Africa.

E-mail:  [email protected]

Accepted 30 December, 2016

Abstract

Research on female entrepreneurship is imperative to create a knowledge base of women’s experiences with regards to being financially excluded in South Africa. There is a realisation, however, that, while race has historically been the primary driver of economic disparities in South Africa, other forms of discrimination also prevent certain groups from accessing economic freedom and opportunities. Women, who represent 52% of the South African population, still suffer from historical and cultural prejudice in accessing opportunities, for a number of reasons that are outlined in this study. While access to financial services continues to be largely racially defined in South Africa, the gender gap between men and women does exist, and is likely to grow if special efforts are not undertaken to address the underlying issues now. Black women are the largest single self-employed segment of the population; a fact that is not reflected in the current industry targets for business activity. This paper examines the extent to which financial service providers in the country were sufficiently aware of the challenges facing women entrepreneurs in South Africa.

Key words: Female entrepreneurs, gender inequality, entrepreneurial motivation.

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN 2516-9831 Vol. 1 (6), pp. 049-056, December, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Global and African overview on Gender mainstreaming in smallholder agriculture development in Swaziland

Klerk D. Piencaar¹*, Jacob Botha Tambo² and Ernie O. Nadine³

¹Faculty of Natural and Agriculture Sciences, Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, at the University of the Free State, South Africa.

²WWF South Africa, C/O Table Mountain Fund, Centre for Biodiversity Conservation, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, PO Box 23273, Claremont, 7735, South Africa.

³World Vision Swaziland, P. O. Box 2870 Mbabane Swaziland.

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 15 November, 2016

Abstract

The paper presents a review of literature in gender mainstreaming in agricultural development. It begins by defining key terms related to gender mainstreaming, and then followed by the discussion of the historical background of gender mainstreaming. This is then followed by review of literature concerning the gender mainstreaming and agricultural development, and African perspective of gender mainstreaming and the current status of gender mainstreaming in Swaziland. The review ends by discussing the potential benefits that can be harnessed from mainstreaming gender in the country’s agriculture sector and development programmes.

Key words: Gender, mainstreaming, smallholder farming, sustainable agriculture, development.

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN 2516-9831 Vol. 1 (5), pp. 037-048, November, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Gender and heterosexual culture in improving young people’s agency for pleasurable and healthful sexual relations

¹Department of Sociology, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria.

²Department of Political Science and International Relations, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara state, Nigeria.

Abstract

Accepted 15 August, 2016

E-mail: [email protected]

Within sociological discourse, young people’s sexual practices have become an area of particular interest as sociologists attempt to contextualise sexuality as multifaceted social experiences rather than as psychological or psychoanalytic processes. This study introduces a conceptual framework for investigating young people’s sexuality and sexual practices in African context. It was achieved through a critical review of the conceptual framework developed by a group of feminist authors in the UK context which identifies five interacting layers of power through which young people become sexually active and socially heterosexual. By adapting and modifying the feminists’ framework, this study delves into the social processes through which certain norms, beliefs, gender practices intersect with heterosexual norms to constitute well-established practices among young Africans. This study concludes by asking for a space to redefine conventional practices of gender and heterosexual culture in order to enhance young people’s agency for pleasurable and healthful sexual relations.

Key words: Gender, sexuality, heterosexual, culture, young people, Africa.