Gender inequality in basic education in sub-Saharan Africa: A conspiracy of culture, poverty, wars and HIV/AIDS 1990-2005

Abstract

 Inequality in access to and retention of girls at the basic level of education is not peculiar to any sub-Saharan African nation rather it is general. This paper took a cursory look at how sub-Saharan African nations faired especially after the 1990 World Conference on Education in Jomtien, Thailand, and the year 2000 Education Forum in Dakar, Senegal. The paper also examined how traditional beliefs and practices in Africa, poverty, wars, and HIV/AIDS have conspired to entrench gender inequality in basic education in sub-Saharan Africa, with particular references to Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Zimbabwe. The conspiracy was also reflected as being responsible for the non-achievement of EFA goals two and five in most sub-Saharan African nations. The importance of basic education for girls was also stressed and, the paper recommended among others elimination of discrimination and violence against girls and putting in place workable policies for girls’ education in sub-Saharan Africa.

Akanbi, G. O. (2012). Gender inequality in basic education in sub-Saharan Africa: A conspiracy of culture, poverty, wars and HIV/AIDS 1990-2005.  European Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 12(1), 574-586. http://www.journalsbank.com/https://ppublishing.org/journals