Narrowing the Gender Gap : Empowering Women through Literacy Programmes. Case studies from the UNESCO Effective Literacy and Numeracy Practices Database (LitBase)

Abstract

The examples included in this compilation reflect how literacy learning can support the empowerment of women, families, communities, and ultimately entire societies. They further demonstrate how women can overcome barriers that they face when accessing learning opportunities through creative and mindful programme designs. Involving men and community leaders in successful change processes is a key requirement, as is the direct participation of women in the design, planning and evaluation of literacy learning. Experience indicates that programmes that are part of lifelong learning policies and supported financially over many years generate the greatest amount of interest.