Masculinities and femininities at the University of Zimbabwe: student perspectives and responses through the affirmative action project

Abstract

The everyday lives of students and staff in acadeipic institutions are shaped by the ideologies of masculinity and femininity that prevail within their societies, families and their specific educational institutions! As indicated by Kessler (1985) organisations have differing gender regimes that model the types of masculinity and femininity manufactured, reinforced and exhibited within them by students and staff. These behaviours vary depending on the social class, age, ethnicity and race of the males. The material for this chapter is based on teaching experiences and the research findings, submissions and contributions made by students to the Gender Studies Association/Affirmative Action Project, funded by the Ford Foundation at the University of Zimbabwe. This project was funded in order to produce data on gender inequalities amongst staff and students, to monitor and report on the progress of the affirmative acfton polity of the university and to lay down the basis for fostering gender equity, democracy and the respect of the rights of all the stakeholders in the university.