Journal of Research in Educational Systems

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the components of gender inequality (social, educational, cultural, economic, political, and legal) and women’s motivation. This cross-sectional study was correlational. The participants included 360 female students aged 20 to 35 who were from Sari, Tonekabon, and Chalus Universities, randomly selected and clustered. Two questionnaires employed to collect the information from Gender Inequality Inventory and Valerand Educational Motivation Questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and regression in SPSS version 23. There was a positive correlation between the total components of gender inequality with academic motivation. As a result of the increase in gender inequality, academic motivation increased. The correlation between educational inequality, economic, legal, political and academic motivation was significant. Based on the findings, the importance of gender inequality on women's academic motivation was discussed.