Research Article
Gender Equality in Technical and Vocational Education and Its Contribution to Poverty Reduction Outcomes in Selected Districts of the Ashanti Region
Jonathan Yawson*
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 4, December 2026
Pages:
110-121
Received:
7 April 2026
Accepted:
16 April 2026
Published:
6 November 2026
Abstract: Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) has been widely acknowledged as a pathway for skills development and economic empowerment, yet gender disparities in access and participation continue to limit its full potential as a poverty reduction tool. This study examined the relationship between gender equality in TVET and poverty reduction outcomes in selected districts of the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Drawing on Human Capital Theory and the Capability Approach, the study adopted a sequential explanatory mixed methods design. Quantitative data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to TVET students, graduates, and district-level education officers, while qualitative insights were obtained through semi-structured interviews. The analysis, conducted using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), revealed that gender equality in TVET significantly influences skills acquisition outcomes, which in turn contribute to poverty reduction. Furthermore, skills acquisition was found to mediate the relationship between gender equality in TVET and poverty reduction. These findings are consistent with studies that underscore the role of inclusive vocational education in economic empowerment. The study recommends that policymakers and TVET institutions in Ghana prioritize gender-responsive enrollment policies, targeted bursaries for female students, and curricula reforms that address occupational segregation, in order to maximize the contribution of vocational education to poverty reduction goals.
Abstract: Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) has been widely acknowledged as a pathway for skills development and economic empowerment, yet gender disparities in access and participation continue to limit its full potential as a poverty reduction tool. This study examined the relationship between gender equality in TVET and poverty reduct...
Show More
