Women Come Together to Discuss Educating Girls in Canada

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN OF CANADA

REPORT ON ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION

EDUCATING GIRLS IN CANADA – SUCCESS AND CHALLENGES

February 23^rd, 2011 at the 55^th Session of the

COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN

Twenty five participants, many from Canada, but some from Australia, and New Zealand, joined the Panel at the Round Table. The presentations covered the personal observations and experiences of two young students from McGill University, Golnaz Nayerahmadi, and Caylee Hong, both of whom have spent time in other countries to compare to their Canadian experience. The teacher’s perspective, provided by two teachers and members of various Teachers’ Federations, Mary-Lou Donnelly, and Alexis Allen, reflected many years of teaching. The YMCA-YWCA, the Anglican Women and the Canadian Federation of University Women, International Council of Women were among the participants.

Key points from the Presentations:

•  Women are outpacing men in terms of education in universities. Girls are staying in school longer and are attaining higher levels of education. More women are graduating
• Yet there are still fewer women in the workforce and women still experience a significant pay gap.
• Access to higher education makes options for learning possible. This is an issue for many rural and Northern students – costs and transition.
• The state of education for Aboriginal children on reserves is a major concern. Only 3 out of 10 children on Reserve graduate from High School – Funding discrepancy with Provincial funding. 
• Education is transformative.  It not only enhances opportunities for employment, improves health and diminishes poverty, but at its core, promotes personhood and the development of full human potential.
• There are ethical responsibilities of women with education to promoting education for girls and young women both internationally and in Canada. 
• Work experience adds to the education process. 
• In comparing the experiences of education in Iran, students there took education more seriously, were respectful to teachers, have self-motivated desire to succeed – although opportunities for girls more limited. Sees as positive in Canada – Sex education, freedom of expression.
• What are we doing in schools that is right and what can we improve in class? Boys are louder in class. Still paying a lot of attention to boys in class maybe because they are loud or because of the way they study.

·         Research: women are not risk takers. We need to empower young girls to “take risks” by speaking out in class and voicing their opinions.  

From the discussion following, these issues and challenges were raised:

·         Safety for girls in the schools – instances of violence against girls (and boys) – range of degree – harassment, bullying, physical, rape.

This was a major concern and came from many who were at the Round Table, and examples of how pervasive this is in the schools. Different programs, and curriculum were noted and the work that is being done by NGO groups such as the Y. It was noted that the approach is to provide education to both girls and boys and starting at a young age. More training needs to be done for teachers, and link with community resources. Many instances happen after school hours, and not on school property.

·         Education for Aboriginal girls. There is a difference in the funding between provincial and federal governments, that must be addressed.
       "No child should ever have to beg or fight for a good education” -  Shannen Koostachin (James Bay) went to school in portable trailers on a toxic field. (www.shannensdream.ca). Note: Since 1998, funding for on reserve education has been capped at 2% annually, while provincial education funding has increased by 6 or 7%. 

Empowering young women to be educational risk takers. Still today we find girls do not have the same confidence in school – especially in high school.  As they continue their education, they begin to think about what personal life they want in the future – having a family, and what will work for them in terms of education and a career.

This continues to be a factor for girl’s education

Resources were noted:

The Miss_G Project

Girls working for a gender studies course in Ontario High Schools The Miss G__ Project for Equity in Education is a grassroots young feminist organization working to combat all forms of oppression in and through education, including sexism, homophobia, racism and classism. There is an online course for teachers on their web site.

American Association of University Women Resources

Drawing the Line: Sexual Harassment on Campus (2006)

Harassment-Free  Hallways: How to Stop Sexual Harassment in  Schools (2002)

Beyond  the "Gender Wars": A Conversation About Girls, Boys, and  Education (2001)

Tech-Savvy:  Educating Girls in the New Computer  Age (2000)

Why So Few? Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (2010)

Where the Girls Are (2008)

The Y in Toronto also spoke of a program they have developed dealing with resiliency -  Bright Futures - http://www.brightfuturealliance.ca/i2a-school.asp

Prepared from Notes

Mary Scott

NCWC President, and Moderator

ncwc@magma.ca