Participation of Women in Open and Distance Learning in Zimbabwe: A Case of Commercial Banks and NGOs

This paper is a report of an investigation of causes for low participation of Zimbabwean women in open and distance learning (ODL) and sought to identify strategies to boost participation. The study used a qualitative research approach in the form of the case study. Data were collected through document analysis and semi-structured interviews and analysed through content analysis. Two commercial banks and one NGO were purposefully sampled for the study.45 women participated in the semi-structured interviews. Reports from Zimbabwe Open University academic registry were interrogated to understand the enrollment history of the organisation from inception, (1993 to 2009). The findings indicate that many women in commercial banks and NGOs study through conventional university and or Institute of Bankers of Zimbabwe (IOBZ). The study shows the major causes for low participation of women in ODL as domestic responsibilities, lack of finances, time demands and lack of self confidence. Strategies to boost up women participation in ODL identified are subsidising the fees for women and educating them about the benefits and processes of ODL. The study recommends that women be given scholarships and grants to study through ODL and research be undertaken to investigate the issue of womens lack of self confidence in studying through ODL.