The Ministry of Education pursues mainstreaming gender in its programmes and policies

Following the adoption of a gender strategy by the Ministry of Social Affairs last April, the Ministry of Education is now moving in the same direction as it is now seeking to mainstream gender in its general policy.  The representative of the General Director of the Ministry of Education, Antoine Harb, convened a meeting aiming at developing the preliminary plan to mainstream gender in the Ministry’s policies.  The meeting was held yesterday in the presence of the ESCWA consultant former Minister Wafa Dikah Hamzeh and the Secretary General of the NCLW, lawyer Fady Karam.

According to Harb, the strategy seeks to strengthen a culture of gender equality as well as empower women to play their role in society through the provision of work opportunities as well as building self confidence.  It will include training educational staff on the importance of equality especially amongst young students.  Harb called for the adoption of the gender mainstreaming approach at the educational level especially in cultural and artistic activities including theater, painting and other creative activities and so as to influence young learner in their behaviors and mindsets.

The  gender focal point of the Ministry of Education, Azza Mrooweh, noted that this initiative will be implemented in several stages the first of which includes gathering statistics and studies about the situation of women in education followed by training and discussion seminars on gender equality based on the international charter for human rights and the child rights charter.

The general secretary of the NCLW, lawyer Fady Karam called for unifying gender mainstreaming concepts as well as seeking funding to ensure continuity.

For further information on the strategy of the Ministry of Social Affairs, kindly  check the news published on WEEPortal on 18-4-2013, entitled:  “MoSA launches its gender audit study and gender training initiative” 

Source: Annahar, Al Mustaqbal 31 November 2013)