Women, disadvantage and access to higher education

More than 55 per cent of students commencing higher education in 1995 were women. Nonetheless, some of the targets set in equity programs continue to label women as 'disadvantaged' and the government is still seeking to increase numbers of women in 'non-traditional' courses and postgraduate study. Meeting these targets will lead to an even greater gender imbalance unless men replace women in areas of study which are traditionally female. Gender access and participation differences at the micro level may be caused by choice or factors external to universities, rather than by systemic discrimination within the higher education sector. Copyright. Monash University and the author/s