Re-imagining Women Leadership Through Inclusive Community Engagement: HERS-East Africa’s Vision for Gender Equity in Higher Education

Women in higher education institutions (HEIs) in East Africa and elsewhere face unique challenges in the workplace. These women need to be equipped with the right tools to succeed in both their professional and personal life while also lifting other women at multiple levels of society.

This book delves into the mission and accomplishments of the Higher Education Resource Services-East Africa (HERS-EA), an organization dedicated to advancing gender parity in leadership roles within higher education and significantly increase the number of girls and women completing their education.

The authors discuss barriers faced by women in higher education that limit their progress to career advancement and leadership positions and offer innovative solutions for addressing the challenges using evidence-based strategies for reimaging leadership for sustainable community engagement and development.

Naomi Lumutenga is the Executive Director, and Co-Founder, HERS-EA, with extensive experience and expertise in higher education leadership and gender equity initiatives. Lumutenga has held leadership roles in educational and religious institutions and is a champion of equity, diversity, and inclusion of minoritized communities for development.

Margaret Khaitsa is a professor of Veterinary Epidemiology at Mississippi State University, USA, with a distinguished career in academia in Uganda and USA for over 30 years winning several awards and honors. As Founder and Board Chair HERS-EA Khaitsa is passionate about advancing gender equity in Sub-Saharan Africa and globally for development.