Abstract

Gender inequality is a pressing issue on a global scale, yet studies on this important issue have stayed on the margins of open and distance learning (ODL) literature. In this study, we critically analyse a batch of ODL literature that is focused on gender inequality in post-secondary and higher education contexts. We use Therborn’s social justice framework to inform and guide the study. This is a comprehensive social justice lens that sees inequality as “a life and death issue,” approaching empowerment as a central area of concern. Qualitative content analysis of 30 years of peer-reviewed literature reveals patriarchy and androcentrism as significant mechanisms that continue to produce gender inequality, in particular in women’s access to educational resources and formal learning opportunities. We highlight three themes that emerged in the content analysis: (1) ODL and equal opportunity; (2) Feminism and gender-sensitive curriculum design; and (3) Culturally relevant curriculum design. We critique views of access to technology-enabled education as an instrument for social justice, and provide a pedagogical model for an ODL curriculum centred on empowerment and agency, two concepts closely linked to existential inequality. We argue that such a curriculum is public service and requires a model of education that is based on participation and co-construction, and lies at the intersection of critical, feminist, and culturally relevant pedagogical practices.

Highlights

  • According to the United Nations Gender Inequality Index report (UNDP 2018): Gender inequality remains a major barrier to human development

  • The aim of this study is to address this gap by providing an overview and critical analysis of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) literature focusing on gender inequality

  • We explore the following research questions: 1. To what extent and in what ways is gender inequality addressed in studies focusing on women in open and distance learning (ODL)?1

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Summary

Introduction

According to the United Nations Gender Inequality Index report (UNDP 2018): Gender inequality remains a major barrier to human development. We use Therborn’s social justice framework to guide the approach to the study, the search strategy and parts of the data analysis This is a comprehensive social justice lens that sees inequality as “a life and death issue,” approaching empowerment as a central area of concern (Therborn 2013). Vital inequality “refers to socially constructed unequal life-chances of human organisms” (Therborn 2013: 48). It adversely affects one’s “health and longevity” and is measured through “life expectancy and survival rates” (2009: 1). Gender inequality in particular has an adverse effect on mothers’ life expectancy and quality of life, and tragically “has a potential strong effect on infant and under-five mortality rates” (Erdogan, Yildirim & Tosuner 2012: 1860)

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