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Launching the First Consultation Meeting on Gender Equality in Non-Formal Education and Lifelong Learning in the Arab Region
The UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office in Beirut and UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning organized an online consultation meeting via Zoom on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, titled "Gender Equality in Non-Formal Education and Lifelong Learning in the Arab Region." The meeting aimed to identify key challenges and assess the needs of countries to address existing gender inequalities in non-formal education policies and practices.
This meeting marks the first step in a project in collaboration between the UNESCO Beirut Office and the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning. The project aims to improve the quality of non-formal educational opportunities for youth and adults, enhance the responsiveness of educational policies to gender equality, and remove barriers to skill-building opportunities for women and girls through dedicated programs. This is in line with the goals of Sustainable Development Goal 4, the commitments within the Marrakech Framework for Action, and the Transforming Education Summit.
Representatives from the following countries participated in the meeting: Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. The sessions were facilitated by Maysoun Chehab, Chief of Education Section and Senior Program Specialist at UNESCO Beirut Office, Samah Shalaby, Education Specialist at UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning in Germany, and Mohamed Yassin, UNESCO Consultant.
The meeting began with a presentation of successful practices and initiatives adopted by the participating countries, providing an opportunity to exchange experiences and innovative approaches in the field of non-formal education. Participants then moved into working groups to discuss the key challenges facing gender equality and identify the primary needs of each country. These groups produced recommendations aimed at enhancing gender equality in non-formal education and lifelong learning.
The discussion touched on fundamental challenges hindering the achievement of gender equality in non-formal education, such as societal norms that create barriers for girls to access education, difficulties in accessing education in remote areas, and economic conditions that lead families to early marriage for girls or work for boys. The impact of the economic crisis and its consequences, the health crisis during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, political crises, security situations, and the lack of advanced policies related to non-formal education and their impact on both formal and non-formal education were also discussed.
The lack of data, impact measurement, and feedback were highlighted as essential elements in building future plans. Challenges related to providing equal opportunities for access to technology, and key needs such as integrating technology into educational programs and continued teacher training on advanced techniques, were also discussed.
The identified needs included financial support, increased networking and coordination between organizations and associations, amendments to compulsory education laws, and increased social awareness through media campaigns. There was also a special focus on integrating technology into educational programs, capacity building, and training teachers and facilitators.
The meeting concluded by emphasizing the importance of working with multiple sectors, such as ministries, governments, and non-governmental organizations, as well as teacher training, curriculum review, the use of technology, and the role of the family in raising awareness. The need for continued training of educational staff and the transition from theory to practice was also highlighted.
This consultation meeting is an important step towards promoting gender equality in non-formal education and lifelong learning in the Arab region. By exchanging knowledge, identifying challenges, and assessing needs, countries can work together to achieve a comprehensive and equitable educational vision, contributing to sustainable development and gender equality in Arab societies.
As a follow-up to the outcomes of this meeting, a survey was sent to all participants. The survey aims to gather additional details on the specific challenges and needs faced by each country, which will contribute to developing guiding frameworks and a capacity-building program tailored to the actual needs of the countries.
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