Globalisation, education and gender: education provision for girls in Zambia

Abstract

This study explores the nature of globalisation and patriarchy and analyses their consequences for education and in particular the education of women and girls. The importance of educating girls has been recognised by many nations in the world especially those in the third world. Girls' education has become a priority following increased recognition of gender inequalities in education in which girls' education has lagged behind that of boys.The international community through education conferences such as the Jomtien in 1990 and Dakar in 2000 has sought to address the problem. Progress has been slow and disappointing. In Sub-Saharan Africa the situation has worsened and the gender gap has increased. This thesis argues that a significant contributory factor in the slow progress in addressing gender inequalities in education in developing countries such as Zambia is the lack of attention to the combined effects of globalisation and patriarchy on girls' education. This study argues that globalisation and patriarchy impact negatively on the education of women and girls, and supports that argument with reference to supra-national and transnational policy developments, as well as an analysis of national policy for the education of girls in Zambia, and case studies of girls' experiences of education in two contrasting local settings in Zambia.Globalisation is associated with an increase in social and economic inequality due to its tendency to obscure equity and social justice issues in its pursuit of establishing markets in almost all spheres of life. Market forms are pre-occupied with profit, hence pushing equality concerns to the fringes. Patriarchy takes advantage of globalisation's tendency to obscure equity and social justice considerations to reassert itself in its uncompromising oppression of women.Therefore, globalisation and patriarchy play a significant role in perpetuating gender inequalities in education. This study posits that any attempt to resolve gender inequalities in education should take into account the impact of globalisation and patriarchy on girls' education.Although education alone will not ensure women's empowerment, the study considers it as very important to combine with other factors to bring about an end to women's oppression.