Gender and Regional Differences in Schooling Between Boys and Girls in Malawi

Abstract

Abstract Recognizing the importance of women and the role female education and autonomy plays in the reduction of infant mortality as well as fertility, this paper explores in greater depth the gender differences in schooling between boys and girls in Malawi. Specifically, the paper examines levels of gender inequality in schooling in Malawi and attempts to highlight some of the informal and formal factors that account for the observed differences in the Malawian context. Two main research questions are addressed: (a) What is the extent of the gender differentials in schooling and are there any discernible regional inequalities in female education and autonomy? (b) What are the main explanatory factors behind these differences? Using data from census publications and annual reports of the Ministry of Education in Malawi, the analysis reveals large gender differentials as well as regional disparities in educational attainment. The data show that educational attainment rates for all age groups are higher fo...