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Table 3 Studentsā€™ experience of gender discrimination and inequalities

From: Integration of gender-transformative interventions into health professional education reform for the 21st century: implications of an expert review

Phase of academic life cycle (students)

Examples and results

Career selection

ā€¢ Gender stereotypes and segregation in health professional cadres such as nursing and nutrition (Kenya) [10]

Admission and entry

ā€¢ Negative attitudes against girls and women pursuing training and scholarship opportunities [6]

ā€¢ Lower admission rates of female students at tertiary education institutions (Rwanda) [53]

Course participation and completion

ā€¢ Threats of failing grades against female students made by male faculty if students refuse sexual advances, leading to difficulty concentrating on studies or failed courses (Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Zimbabwe) [10, 20, 54ā€“56]

ā€¢ Demotion fees levied against students for taking time off for pregnancy and falling behind in their programs (Kenya) [10]

Career progression

ā€¢ Sexual harassment during medical training, affecting selection of medical specialty and residency programs (Japan, Sweden, USA) [5, 57ā€“60]

ā€¢ Attitudes discouraging female medical residents from becoming pregnant (USA) [8]

Retention and graduation

ā€¢ Unsafe living conditions, limiting studentsā€™ ability to safely access university facilities and contributing to dropouts of female students [11]

ā€¢ Threats of failing grades against female students by male faculty if students refuse sexual advances, leading to graduation delays or dropouts (Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Zimbabwe) [10, 20, 53ā€“56]

ā€¢ Required suspension or termination of studies when female students become pregnant (Namibia, Kenya) [9, 10]

ā€¢ Insufficient time for students with family and domestic responsibilities to participate in educational opportunities, contributing to dropouts (Tanzania, Uganda, UK, USA) [11ā€“13]

ā€¢ Higher dropout rates of female students at all educational levels (Rwanda) [53]