Culture and religion constrain women in the academic sphere : the case of Lesotho

Ramalefane, Thotoane Rosalia

Culture and religion constrain women in the academic sphere : the case of Lesotho

Master Thesis

2004

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

Department of Religious Studies

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Abstract

The subjugation of women dates back to ancient times. Through the centuries the suppression of women has taken different forms. With a few exceptions most African societies are patriarchal in character. They relegate women to a minor position and subject them to the guardianship of male partners. Traditionally, men were regarded as senior to women irrespective of age. This tradition of men regarding themselves as superior to women has its roots in our socio-cultural norms in Lesotho. Culturally men are regarded by society as superior to women. This perception of men is transferred to the work situation. Consequently, even at work, men are perceived as 'strong' and 'powerful.' In the higher institutions of Lesotho, there is now awareness that the proportion of academic women in senior positions remains small by comparison to that of men. A large number of women are found at the lower end of the scale. Despite the fact that Basotho women are more educated than their male counterparts The study argues that women's slow progress in upward mobility in the employment sector is attributed to a combination of factors. This study therefore, seeks to: * Explore the factors which constrain women to occupy the senior positions of the academic hierarchy and senior administrative positions within the academy; * Investigates the framework of attitudes and beliefs that undermines the status and the role that women have and continue to have in Lesotho in general, the academic sphere in particular; * Suggest steps, which could be taken towards the amelioration of the present undesirable situation in the academic sphere. Feminist research was chosen as the theoretical/conceptual framework of the study. The importance of this framework is that it uses the concept of gender as an analytical category. Feminist construction methodology through the use of qualitative paradigm was used as an appropriate tool for the purposes of obtaining in-depth information of the situation in Lesotho. As qualitative method comprises different methods, case study method was used to provide an in-depth examination of women's experiences as well as to provide the meaning of their experiences in the academic sphere. For data collection the study used both the primary and secondary methods. The primary includes the method of interviewing techniques. The interviews were in a form of a semi-structured schedule using open-ended questions. The documentary sources include documents relating to the government, public records and reports. Secondary methods include the literature, internet, and journals. A total number of sixteen women were interviewed using an in-depth interview schedule. The analysis of data was informed by the grounded theory. The findings of this study are that discrimination against women is a norm and that women perceived themselves to be oppressed by the patriarchal relations. Women have been brought up in such a way that they feel they are socially inferior to their male counterparts and tend to have a low self-esteem. Basotho customs and religious practices all play a role in reinforcing the lower status of women. All these are transferred to the workplace. In the academic sphere there is that great disparity of sex segregation between men and women. It is indeed possible that the most effective way of influencing employment behaviour is so far as it relates females may be to concentrate on modifying the sex in family rather than by means of legislation directed to the operation of the labour market itself on which government have traditionally placed reliance and emphasis.

Description

Includes bibliographical references.

Keywords

Religious Studies

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