Following a decline in overall female participation rates in the Awards from 2010, a Gender Study was undertaken in 2012 to identify the factors that prevent and enhance equal participation by women, to inform the design and implementation of gender strategies for Australia Awards in Africa. This includes barriers and enablers to women's participation during the different stages of the Awards process.

Female alumni and awardees were resoundingly positive about their experience with the program, with several of them noting it was one of the most empowering personal and professional experiences of their lives.

The study identified a number of aspects that could facilitate the participation of women, including:

• Communications and promotions information should be channelled through networks promoting gender equality and women's participation, in order to reach women with appropriate professional and academic backgrounds
• Consider the mix of courses offered and course content, including providing women with leadership opportunities
• Consider providing additional special support to enable women to manage the care of children while on award, and work to implement the Gender Equity and Access Fund (now fully implemented)

Case studies from Mozambique, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Nigeria are provided.

• Australia Awards in Africa - gender study report [PDF 1.32 MB]
• Australia Awards in Africa - gender study report [DOCX 774 KB]