Women’s Access to Post-Secondary Education and Structural Inequalities

The UN Development Goal No.5 urges the achievement of gender equality and empowerment of women by 2030. The fight for gender parity and female empowerment in Africa has seen some successes. Despite this, changes in Ghana's educational system have not dispelled the widespread belief that men are better equipped for careers, especially in technical and vocational fields. This misconception has hampered the motivation of disadvantaged young women, making them less likely to pursue careers in technical and vocational education and training (TVET). Entrenchments of gendered divisions in higher education and the labour market contribute to the yawning structural inequality in society. This study looks at women’s access to post-secondary education and inequalities in the labour market. Additionally, the article updates recent changes in the ratio of female students enrolled in university programs and employment statistics in Ghana. The paper argues that although there are improvements in female enrolment numbers in post-secondary institutions, there is need for a deliberate policy to increase female intake into tertiary institutions, especially technical universities by granting female-favoured scholarships and opening more online/distance learning platforms for degree programs as well as services to support online enrolment. Employment opportunities should favour the female for a deepening supplementary role at all levels of their participation. Besides, to encourage women to gradually shift from conventional roles, it is necessary to invest in their human capital