Gender Sadism in Academia: Voices of Female Students in Higher Education

Abstract: This paper presents the gender biased experiences and inequality of undergraduate and graduate level female students of Nepal. Qualitative research methodology was applied for this study. A total of seventeen respondents along with college officials from two campuses participated in the study. The findings revealed that female students experienced a sense of fear and, consequently felt timid about reporting negative academic experiences. They perceived themselves as inferior student scholars due to pregnancy, having a child or for being married. Faculty members mostly favor male students and female students' comments and/or saying were not regarded as legitimate and not considered important in classroom discussion, decision-making and other curricular activities. As a result, they felt isolated in educational activities. The environment of the campuses and local culture was also perceived as one of the broader factors that impede gender balance and gender responsive activities within the academia. The findings contradict some physical problem between undergraduate and graduate level students but correspond about the support perceived in field works, practical works and some cultural aspects. However, this study concludes that colleges are not gender friendly in terms of academic delivery, curricular/co-curricular activities, practical works and assignments in one or another ways. Since there is no system to hearing the grievances of female students, a female help desk center to facilitate female students in each college would be fruitful to address the issues of female students.