Return-Path: <nifl-womenlit@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id g7QFP6X29210; Mon, 26 Aug 2002 11:25:06 -0400 (EDT) Date: Mon, 26 Aug 2002 11:25:06 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <sd69f32d.004@nmail.epcc.edu> Errors-To: alcrsb@langate.gsu.edu Reply-To: nifl-womenlit@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-womenlit@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-womenlit@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: "Andres Muro" <AndresM@epcc.edu> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-womenlit@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-WOMENLIT:2240] Re: What are the main X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII X-Mailer: Novell GroupWise 5.5.5 Status: O Content-Length: 4629 Lines: 46 Daphne: This is in response to your request to expand on how poverty affects women more than men Poverty affects women and children significantly more than it affects men, so struggling against poverty is struggling against something that affects women way more than men. Women as a group are systematically discriminated which prevents them from accessing ways to overcome poverty. Having children limits their mobility to escape from poverty or famine, searching and finding employment and moving from one community to another escaping hunger or war. Many countries have specific polices that prevent women from moving with the same freedom as men do. Other countries may not have official policies but it is part of the accepted cultural norm to limit women's participation by harassment or intimidation. Women who venture out into the world in search for food, employment or simply to get out of the home, risk facing anything from verbal harassment to physical harassment, theft, rape or death. Acts of violence against women that cover the whole range from verbal abuse and a pat in the butt, to murder, are not limited to strangers, but also to acquaintances and relatives. Also, women's looks are used to judge them, limiting their access, etc. Literacy is a powerful tool to struggle against the above. However, as Freire said. Literacy can be a tool to liberate but also to oppress. So in order for literacy to be used to liberate it has to specify its agenda and demonstrate this with content that addresses oppression, sexism and discrimination. Andres >>> "Daphne Greenberg" <ALCDGG@langate.gsu.edu> 08/24/02 01:43PM >>> Andres, You wrote: "So, to me, the principal issue regarding women and literacy has to do with the entire field not working towards systematic change against poverty." If we would like Gail to add this in her talk at the UN, we would need to provide Gail with information about why this is particularly a woman and literacy issue, and not an issue for many, regardless of gender. Daphne >>> "Andres Muro" <AndresM@epcc.edu> 08/23/02 12:26PM >>> Hey, Daphne: I agree with the listed issues. I can add couple of other issues such as: domestic violence lack of access to health care However, I think, all of these are part of a larger issue. Overall, there is a complete silence about the plight of the poor in this country, particularly women and children. There is no recognition that poverty is the result of governmental manipulations to benefit the wealthy, and not something brought by the individual on to herself. As a result, there is no systematic antipoverty/antisexist work being conducted to address the plight of the oppressed. Literacy work in this country should be antipoverty work. However it is not. It is supposed to be a vehicle for individuals to escape poverty through heir own effort since it is believe that it is their own actions that placed them in poverty in the first place. So, to me, the principal issue regarding women and literacy has to do with the entire field not working towards systematic change against poverty. Andres >>> ALCDGG@langate.gsu.edu 08/21/02 04:45PM >>> A few days ago, I posted a query about listserv subscribers' ideas concerning the main issues regarding women and literacy (see copy of posting below).Sandra Cuban sent me her thoughts and agreed that I can share them with you, in the hopes that some of you may be inspired to share your thoughts! Onceagain, the question is: In youropinion, what are the main issues regarding women and literacy. "Off the top ofher head" this is what Sandra shared: When I think of the three key issues for women in literacy, I would focus on participation issues : 1. Quality childcare/day care for both teachers and students 2. Poverty for Students and low pay and support for teachers 3. A lack of direct attention and support to address the specific barriers and social forces that impede women's learning and persistence in their education at all levels. Anyone else have ideas? Daphne >>> alcdgg@langate.gsu.edu 08/18/02 08:04PM >>> Gail Spangenberg, President of the Council for Advancement of Adult Literacy emailed me with a request for a paragraph or two detailing my thoughts regarding the main issues of women in adult literacy. I suggested that we pose this question to this listserv, and see what kinds of thoughts YOU have. Specifically, she will be attending the afternoon U.N. session on Gender on 9/5, International Literacy Day. She would like to use her participation as a way to identify and generate discussion on some of the key current issues.
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