An analysis of the attraction and retention of women in higher education institutions : a case study of the University of Pretoria and the University of KwaZulu-Natal

Abstract

Human Resources have become a serious issue for present-day universities, as a result of the increased pressure from governments and global markets. The ability to attract and retain women in higher educational institutions has become a crucial challenge in terms of under-representation and gender equality. The study analyses the attraction and retention of women in higher educational institutions both in the University of KwaZulu-Natal and the University of Pretoria as case studies. For South Africa, it has become even more challenging; since South African universities have adopted drastic measures, in order to reform their systems over the past 20 years, and especially to meet the terms of socio-economic, political and equitable congruency. Although many higher education institutions in South Africa have mission statements and equity plans to address the issues of attraction and retention, there is little that specifically targets women. The purpose of this study was to critically analyse the policy initiatives in place for the attraction and retention of women in higher educational institutions; to analyse the factors that drive the attraction and retention of women in higher education institutions; and to investigate the representation of women in senior academic and management positions, and to develop a framework for the attraction and retention of women in higher education institutions. For the purpose of this study, human-resource strategies in terms of the attraction and retention of women and designated groups was scrutinised both for the universities under study and the higher educational policies in terms of the recruitment of women were identified and analysed.