By Humairaa Mayet
Edited by Imaan Moosa & Tasmiyah Randeree
Women are notoriously underrepresented in academia. Although women are moving from the periphery to the center, they are still sidelined when compared to their male counterparts. We spoke to two women in academia who dissected this problem for us.
Women and the massive role they play in the academic space cannot be overlooked. Photo: Unsplashed
As we hurtle toward a future that strives for gender equity, academia seems to be one of the spheres lagging behind. Institutions of higher learning in South Africa are, more often than not, pervaded by gender gaps. Although this gap has become narrower over the years, there is much room for improvement.
Out of all the vice-chancellors at the 26 universities in South Africa, only four are women. Although these statistics are not mirrored by the ratio of male lecturers to female lecturers, it is evident that men reign supreme in academia, while women place second, as only approximately 30% of all professors in South African universities, are women.
Academia in its entirety is massive in scope and includes myriad departments and schools in universities and colleges around the world. In South Africa, much like in many other countries, women find themselves cast aside as the voices of their male peers echo above theirs.
Dr. Shafeeqa Mayet, a lecturer at the University of the Witwatersrand and anesthesiologist, has been in academia for four years, prior to which she worked uniquely as an anesthesiologist both at private and public hospitals.
Presently, she practices anesthetics at Helen Joseph Hospital as well as at Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital. In tandem with this, Dr. Mayet teaches undergraduate students in a practical clinical setting and mentors postgraduate students specializing in anesthesia.
Medicine has changed drastically over the past few decades, as has medical academia, Dr. Mayet told To EmpowHER. This metamorphosis has led to a gradual increase in the number of women entering the medical field and continuing into academia. Although there are now more women in academia than before, this number will need to increase in order for the gender gap to be closed.
Dr. Shafeeqa Mayet. Photo: Provided
Dr. Mayet says that academia is a rigorous field of work and medical academia even more so. Often, students are taught from an overtly masculine perspective and this shapes their view on medicine, and subsequently the way they will practice medicine once qualified.
This perspective gives way to the entrance of feminism into the field. A more feminist lens must be utilized when conducting research and teaching students in order to pave the way for a more intersectional and inclusive medical field.
In years to come, academia — and more specifically, medical academia — will develop more feminist dimensions. This transition will require the centralization of women in medical academia and for men to actively make use of more feminist perspectives when conducting research and teaching.
There is always room to create awareness around the role of women in medicine and this can be done by men and women, specifically within the academic space.
Dr. Jacqueline De Matos Ala has been in academia for over 25 years and is an associate professor in the Department of International Relations at the University of the Witwatersrand. Around the world, departments of international relations are undoubtedly dominated by men, but there is always an opportunity to introduce feminist perspectives into the discourse.
Having specialized in gender, decolonial theory, and issues prevalent in the global South, Dr. De Matos Ala has always found space to include feminism in her research and teaching.
Dr. De Matos Ala told To EmpowHER decolonial thought has feminist overtones. Themes of inclusivity, equality, and diversity can be found in her teachings.
Dr Jacqueline De Matos Ala. Photo: Provided
Realism, Liberalism, and Marxism are the schools of thought most popular in International Relations, and each of these can be viewed with a feminist lens. Due to the overt masculinity of Realism, a feminist critique is necessary as is a feminist critique of Liberalism, given that it commodifies gender, something which feminism seeks to undo. Marxism adds a class dimension to already complex gender issues which may be useful from time to time.
Without a doubt, there is potential for International Relations to become a feminist space. Given that race and gender are moving toward the center of the discourse in International Relations, it must be ensured that this is not just a fad but a sustainable model which can be used in departments of International Relations around the world.
Academia is an interesting space. Great strides have been made with regards to striving for gender equality, however, ground is lost when we think we have achieved it. The fight for gender equality is a continuous struggle and we must keep the momentum going.
In order to narrow, and eventually close, the gender gap, academia must be made a safe space for women, one in which they are given a platform and their voices are heard. This can be done by men and women alike and will serve to better academia in its entirety.
The gender gap within academia is wide open - we must strive to close it in time to come.
A day in the life of Dr. Mayet:
I wake up early, around 04h30, and spend my day juggling work, my family, and academic responsibilities. I have very little time for hobbies, but enjoy hiking and traveling (pre-coronavirus, of course) when I get the chance to.
A day in the life of Dr. De Matos Ala:
I am up early for my morning cup of coffee, after which I conduct research and online lectures as well as write and do admin. I enjoy dabbling in carpentry, karate, and gardening in my spare time.
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