Mainstreaming Gender Equality in SSA Academia
GA number: 101237680
Funded by: ERASMUS Lump Sum Grants Duration: 01/11/2025-31/10/2028

Challenge
Despite progress in expanding access to higher education, women across Sub-Saharan Africa remain underrepresented in academic careers and leadership positions. Structural inequalities, gender stereotypes, unequal career opportunities, and gender-based violence continue to limit their participation and advancement within universities.
While many higher education institutions recognise the importance of gender equality, comprehensive policies and practical mechanisms to promote inclusive working and learning environments are often lacking or insufficiently implemented. Addressing these challenges requires coordinated institutional action, evidence-based policies, and the active involvement of university communities to create lasting change.
Innovation
MAGNETISE advances gender equality in higher education institutions across South Africa and Uganda by supporting the development and long-term adoption of Gender Equality Plans tailored to each university’s needs. Combining institutional policy development, staff training, student-led awareness activities, digital knowledge sharing, and collaboration with policymakers and civil society, MAGNETISE helps universities embed gender equality into everyday academic life and build more inclusive environments for current and future generations.
Action

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them.
Project Partners

(Belgium)

(South Africa)
Coordinator

Nelson Mandela University
(South Africa)

(South Africa)

(Uganda)

(Uganda)

(Belgium)

(Greece)

(Greece)