MAGNETISE

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

Supporting five higher education institutions in South Africa and Uganda to develop or strengthen Gender Equality Plans that reflect their unique needs, priorities and institutional context. Based on evidence gathered within each university, these plans provide practical actions to promote equality, address structural barriers and create more inclusive academic environments. Designed to support long-term institutional change, they help embed gender equality into university policies, governance and everyday practices.

Providing academic and administrative staff with practical knowledge, tools and guidance to promote gender equality within their institutions. Through a series of training sessions and a practical handbook, participants learn how to implement and monitor Gender Equality Plans, address gender-based violence, support student-led initiatives and organise awareness activities. These resources help universities turn policy commitments into meaningful action.

Developing an online platform that brings together educational resources, good practices, research, news and opportunities related to gender equality in higher education. The hub showcases student-led awareness initiatives, provide access to open educational resources and encourage collaboration between universities, researchers and practitioners. By making knowledge widely accessible, it continues supporting learning and exchange beyond the project’s lifetime.

Engaging students, university communities, policymakers and civil society organisations through awareness campaigns, national policy roundtables and evidence-based policy recommendations. These activities encourage dialogue on gender equality, promote the adoption of more inclusive practices and strengthen cooperation between higher education institutions and decision-makers. By sharing experiences and practical recommendations, MAGNETISE contributes to creating fairer and more inclusive higher education systems in South Africa and Uganda.

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

KMOP
(Belgium)
University of Kwazulu-Natal
(South Africa)
Coordinator

Nelson Mandela University  
(South Africa)
Rhodes University
(South Africa)
Muni University
(Uganda)
Makerere University
(Uganda)
Katholieke Hogeschool Vives Zuid
(Belgium)
University Of Peloponnese
(Greece)
Research Innovation and Development Lab Privat
(Greece)

 

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