Numeracy and Women (2010, No. 2) (Open)

Numeracy and Women (2010, No. 2)

The 30th GWI Conference resolves that:

  1. National Federations and Associations (NFAs) urge their respective governments to encourage the promotion of numeracy, particularly among girls and women;
  2. NFAs advocate for research to improve the delivery of numeracy training within their countries and seek to assist where appropriate; and
  3. GWI use its standing committees and its consultative status with appropriate United Nations’ bodies to implement this resolution.

Suggested National Action

  • Urge their respective governments to focus on numeracy as well as literacy and to publish regularly information and statistics about achievements at regional and national levels, including gender analysis of data.
  • Gather information about the provision and take-up of primary and remedial training, especially among women and girls – “remedial” meaning any possibility of catching up at a later stage where basics have been missed (for whatever reason) in primary education – including adult education classes or extra courses offered in secondary schools, or after school clubs.
  • Assess available data on the adequacy of provision for primary and remedial training.
  • Offer or assist in the setting up of numeracy training workshops or courses.

GWI and NFA Action reported

  • Australia: Girls are Still Falling Behind in Numeracy August 2011Action in support of GWI Policy Resolution 2010, No. 2Research by a Monash University team led by AFGW member Dr Helen Forgasz, shows that girls in Australia are still performing at much lower levels in maths, and the gap is widening as students progress through school. The project included a survey of community attitudes about studying maths at school. It shows that younger people are more likely than older people to believe that boys are better at maths than girls. Dr Forgasz says that the problem of low female achievement and participation rates in math, science and computer technology has been overlooked by government policy makers and that a government-funded media campaign would help reverse the trend. Read More.

 

  • Georgia: GAUW to promote better access to gender studies courses at the national and international level October 2010Action in support of GWI Policy Resolution 2010, No. 2Georgian University Women will be promoting an increase in gender study courses at universities and organizing weekly lectures and seminars at their NFA office to provide extra courses on gender issues for schoolchildren, students and International Displaced Persons (IDPs). They also intend to establish a women’s club for journalists to provide gender education through media and help young women access Master and PhD courses in gender studies.Read More

 

  • Scotland: SFUW holds a Seminar on Numeracy and Women at the Scottish Parliament September 2010Action in support of GWI Policy Resolution 2010, No. 2In September 2010, the Scottish Federation of University Women (SFUW) held a Seminar entitled “Literacy and Numeracy in Scotland” at the Scottish Parliament. The event was hosted by a Member of the Scottish Parliament who is also her political party’s spokesperson for Education. Three speakers from the Scottish Book Trust, Learning and Teaching Scotland and the Literacy Commission addressed the subject from different approaches before members of the Federation entered into a lively discussion. SFUW plans to make representation to the relevant Ministers in both the Scottish and U.K Governments. The latter will also take account of the GWI Resolution on Financial Literacy which was passed at the GWI Conference in Mexico City. Read More

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