Women's Right to Literacy

[Background] [Aims] [Outcomes] [Audience] [Programme] [Event Information] [Application Conditions]

Background

Baroness Mary Goudie, co-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Global Education for All, a keen advocate of women's right to education around the world, has supported this seminar. 

NIACE, in partnership with the Literacy Working Group (LWG), published an advocacy document, on International Literacy Day, September 8^th 2012, calling for action to support Women's right to learn literacy, in all parts of the world.  (www.niace.org.uk/current-work/womens-right-to-literacy)

Not only do we want to see young women like Malala from Pakistan, supported in their aspirations and dreams to be educated and change their worlds, but also opportunities for their mothers, aunts and grand-mothers developed and increased.

LWG member organisations including, ActionAid; the British Association for International and Comparative Education; the British Association for Literacy in Development; the University of East Anglia and Feed the Minds, along with others, such as, the International Council for Adult Education and the Global Campaign for Education, UK, have long campaigned the researched benefits of literacy learning.  We want to see, in addition to relevant, dedicated learning opportunities, aid projects and programmes enhanced, enriched and supported through the integration of literacy for women.   We know that relevant learning, based upon local interests, activities and initiatives can be highly successful.  We know that increased gender equality, improved health outcomes and lower rates of early marriage and motherhood result from women's increased participation in education.

This seminar aims to share insights and information as well as explore the next steps in advocating the Calls for Action. 

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Aims

We aim to:

• Build upon the compelling evidence in the published document, Women's Right to Literacy, identifying the challenges and barriers faced and possible solutions;
• Influence policy-makers and funders to support the Calls for Action presented in the document;
• Gather further evidence and argument, to inform policy and development programmes, not only between now and 2015 but beyond the life of the current MDGs;
• Contribute momentum to further advocacy to mark International Women's Day in March 2013.

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Outcomes

Participants will be better informed and more able to present the case for women's access to literacy;

Participants will contribute to the production of an action plan, based on the discussion and recommendations from the seminar, including preparations for International Women's Day, 2013;

The Literacy Working Group will draft a report on the event to use in discussion, with, amongst others, DFID, GCE UK, UKNC for UNESCO, UIL;

The Literacy Working Group will identify strategies for influencing policy and decision makers involved in the post MDGs process.

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Audience

This event is for all who are concerned about the role which education, and literacy in particular, has to play in bringing about changes, especially for women, in developing countries. We welcome policy makers and planners from government; aid organisations and agencies; from NGOs and civil society organisations.  We invite students, researchers and academics with an interest in international development or women's issues. Adult educators, who advocate the principles, values and approaches of adult learning, to wider audiences, are also invited to join in this participative seminar.

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Programme (Provisional) 

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Event Information

• Arrival and registration is at 10.00am for a 10:30am start. The seminar will end with lunch at 1:30pm, followed by an action-planning session ending at 3:00pm.
• This event fee is £39 per person (including refreshments and lunch).
• NB: NIACE does not charge VAT on conference or course fees
• Only online application forms with the payments section completed will be processed.
• NB: If you wish us to invoice your employer we require a copy of the Purchase Order before the form is processed
• Places will be allocated in order of receipt of completed online application forms (one online application form per person)
• Video cameras may be in use at this event. If you do not wish to be photographed or appear on the video outputs please indicate this on the application form and make yourself known at registration
• Participants should be prepared to take their own notes as there will not be handouts for all sessions
• If you have not received an e-mail confirming your attendance and joining instructions 4 working days before the event please contact: events@niace.org.uk 

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Application Conditions

• Event date: Thursday 6 December 2012
• Closing date: Thursday 22 November 2012
• Cancellations are non-refundable
• The full fee is payable prior to the event
• Substitutions are to be advised 5 working days prior to the event
• A 15 working days notice period is required for provision of electronic note-takers, sign language interpreters and transcription to Braille
• Places are to be reserved online - scroll up and click on Apply Now
• Reservations by telephone cannot be accepted
• Application forms are individually acknowledged by e-mail. Joining instructions, including map and directions, will be e-mailed out one week before the event
• NIACE reserves the right to reject applicants who are not from the target audience list. 

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