The extent of transformation within the higher education sector and its effects on gender equity: A case study of Gauteng University of Technology

Abstract

The need for more equitable workplace opportunities for employees is a well-documented area in management literature. More recently, research on the role of gender equity strategies is also prominent in the literature. An important lacuna in the equal employment opportunities (EEO) literature appears, however, to be the lack of focus on gender equity in higher education. Specifically, the in-attention to the influence of organizational policies, practices and processes on equity. This study applies a case study approach to study gender equity in South Africa, as a means of measuring the progress of gender equity in the South African higher education sector. The study examines pre- and post- level attainment of gender equity using gender representation as a measure of progress. Using gender profiling, findings suggests that current gender equity strategies may be at odds with the intentions of the transformational agenda in post-apartheid South Africa. As such, the paper highlights the need to fully utilize gender mainstreaming strategies as a means of guiding, planning and monitoring achievements of gender equity in South African Higher Education Institutions. Key words: Equity, gender, transformation.