Empirical analysis of gender roles in human capital formation in Africa : the case of tertiary education in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Gender disparities in human capital formation is an acute and persistent problem, especially in developing countries where all resources, including natural, financial and mainly human resources should be used effectively. Indeed, human capital is the only resource that can promote and sustain economic development. In our study, we have shown that the roles played by gender in tertiary education can take two main figures including vertical and horizontal gender segregation. Our empirical research, based on quantitative and qualitative methods, highlighted the evidence of vertical and horizontal gender disparities that exist in tertiary education in Africa. Furthermore, we carried out analysis of some of the root causes of the phenomenon that we defined from internal and external main axes as well as dynamic correlated nodal points. Finally, from our findings, we drew lessons to schematically conceptualize the phenomenon in order to better understand it, so as to find solutions that can promote development in developing countries.