What does it mean to navigate motherhood while pursuing a postgraduate degree? How do students balance identity, care, and academia in a world not built with them in mind?
In this podcast, MA Gender and Development (GAD) students Patronela Tshuma, Chaltu Merera Fana, and Akinyi Ochieng’ speak about their journeys as mothers pursuing higher education. Hosted by Akinyi Ochieng, the episode delves into personal stories of motivation, cultural expectations, identity conflicts, and the transformative power of education.
Listen now on Acast or YouTube
Key themes include:
- Personal journeys: what motivated them to return to school?
- Cultural expectations: societal norms that they had to challenge.
- Identity and role conflict: how becoming a student affected their identity as mothers, and how they managed it.
- How the MA GAD programme transformed their sense of self, motherhood, and future possibilities.
- Advice and reflections for others on similar paths.
About the interviewer:
Akinyi Ochieng is a mother of two, and founder of Teentalk Table — an initiative promoting sex-positive parenting culture in Kenya. She says: “We represent not just us but all women struggling with the complex decision of balancing the choice of education, empowerment, and raising a family within complex societal constraints.”
About the interviewees:
Patronela Tshuma is the Founder of the Support Network for Women and Girls in Leadership, a grassroots initiative empowering women and girls through strategic leadership development and economic resilience. Her work spans rural and urban communities, advancing gender justice, civic participation, and social inclusion.
Reflecting on the podcast, she shares: “This episode is for anyone passionate about gender justice, especially single mothers and anyone trying to balance caregiving with education. Being part of the podcast was a big moment for me… it meant a lot to have my experience recognised.”
Chaltu Merera Fana is a Chevening Scholar and lecturer at Arsi University in Ethiopia, with a background in Social Anthropology and Social Work. Her professional path has focused on women’s empowerment and community development. She says: “This podcast will be of great value to anyone with an interest in gender and development issues, particularly those exploring the real-world challenges. It is a call to rethink whose experiences we centre in our ideas of justice, equity, and progress.”
About the Between the Lines podcast
This podcast series explores ground-breaking ideas in development for positive social and environmental change. Each month we feature an interview with an expert in international development who will talk about their latest research and ideas.
Episodes content could feature authors of new books, IDS research or interviews with special guest stars.
The discussions give an insight on the themes covered, exploring the challenges and discoveries, and why the issues matter for progressive and sustainable development globally.
Send your comments and episode suggestions to [email protected]
Key contacts
