Diploma in Gender, Women and Development Studies Program Offered at Egerton University

The diploma in Gender, Women and Development Studies at Egerton University is designed to address multidisciplinary issues in gender, with emphasis on women and development in the African perspective.

Women studies are related to all other disciplines, not only the social sciences but also natural and applied sciences. Gender studies and Women studies complement each other. Gender studies is an important aspect or component of feminist movement since feminists concerns are about ending gender inequalities, we cannot discuss such issues without referring to gender.

Analysis of women centred problems and questions could suffer if the agenda shifts exclusively to concentrate on issues shared with men. In the African context and in reference to Kenya, where poverty negates development, it important to adopt a multidisciplinary approach and look at both women studies and gender studies in relation to development.
The programme targets decision-makers in the formulation of gender sensitive policies and to apply gender knowledge and skills that are essential to all careers and in the achievement of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Education For All (EFA) goals. Knowledge on gender and development is relevant in social work, institutional management that promote social and gender equity, legal systems, community development among others. Gender has become the key element for economic sustainability and social justice.
The interdisciplinary nature of the diploma course will make it applicable for those in mid-career and wishing to up-grade or refresh existing skills, those intending to change career focus in the community, government, or private sectors, those with challenges in the workplace that would be helped by a serious consideration of the issues which women studies and gender studies address. The course will offer new career opportunities for the graduates. In Kenya, the government and Non-Governmental Organizations are in need of trained personnel in the field of gender and development. The knowledge and skills acquired in this course will give the graduates a competitive edge in the job market.

The fundamental aim of the Diploma in Gender, Women and Development Studies programme at Egerton University is to equip students with appropriate applied knowledge, skills and attitudes related to gender, with emphasis on women and development.
By the end of the programme, the students shall be able to:

1. Identify and analyse the importance of gender equity in relation to women and development in the society.
2. Sensitize the community on women and gender issues through advocacy, counselling, gender theories and practice.
3. Improve organizational capacities with regard to planning and implementation of gender strategies for development.
4. Incorporate gender perspectives in planning and implementation of development projects.
5. Apply acquired skills and knowledge for gender mainstreaming in their fields of specialization.
6. Conduct research in women, gender and development related areas.

For enrollement into the Diploma in Gender, Women and Development Studies programme at Egerton University, the applicant must meet the following admission requirements:

• All university rules and regulations governing admission into the diploma programmes shall apply.
• Admission shall be open to holders of Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education with a minimum C (plain) grade.
• Applicants who have a certificate course in Gender, Poverty and Development will be considered and may be required to appear for an interview by the Institute (either oral or written) to determine their eligibility.

Egerton University minimum entry requirements for Diploma Programmes

The entry requirements set out below are only minimum, and they do not in any way, entitle an applicant to a place at Egerton University. 
Applicants must:

1. Have the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education with an average grade 'C' passed at one sitting from at least seven subjects drawn from subject groupings as specified by the Kenya
2. National Examinations Council or equivalent. Provided that candidates with disabilities will be given special consideration with regard to the number of subjects taken at KCSE. OR
3. Hold a certificate from a recognized institution with a 'Credit' pass or higher or equivalent qualification from a recognized institution in the relevant field of specialization, acceptable to Senate AND
4. Meet additional or specific entry requirements as may be specified by the respective Department, Faculty, School or Institute offering the Diploma programme.

The training for the Diploma in Gender, Women and Development Studies at Egerton University shall extend for a period of not less than three academic years but not more than six academic years for part time students. This will include three months of attachment and report submission before graduation.

Egerton University is the oldest institution of higher learning in Kenya. It was founded as a Farm School in 1939 by Lord Maurice Egerton of Tatton, a British national who settled in Kenya in the 1920s.

Egerton University has three (3) Campuses and one Campus College.

The main Campus is based at ... read more