Karachi: The Sindh Education Foundation (SEF) organised a certificate distribution ceremony at a local hotel on Wednesday for acknowledging the pupils and teachers of the WomenÂ’s Literacy and Empowerment Programme (WLEP).
The WLEP envisions the “creation of a peaceful society in which women are equal partners in development and progress,” said Managing Director SEF Professor Anita Ghulam, who also chaired the event.
She stressed the need to create the social and economic conditions needed to include the largely marginalised groups, especially women, in the educational system.
A women’s rights activist Dr Habiba Hasan lauded Professor Ghulam’s tireless effort for women’s empowerment in the country, and claimed that WLEP aimed at bringing “change in the mindsets of the people”.
The WLEP’s curriculum has been implemented across all Women Literacy and Empowerment Centres, which addresses many of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), including primary health, early childhood education and women empowerment through education and vocational skills.
Assessment papers were conducted by the WLEP in 23 centres and the students clearing the basic literacy criterion were awarded primary level certificates which would enable them to get enrolled in secondary schools.
SEF Programme Adviser Professor Rehana Mughni threw light upon the unique teaching techniques employed by the WLEF team where the subjects are being taught with a cultural context.
This is an effort at the development of issue-based resource materials for educating women learners.
Coordinator WLEP Zeenat Raza said that the programme biggest achievement was the creation of job opportunities at the grassroots level for many women.
Manager SEF Musarrat Palijo gave a brief overview of sexual harassment laws enacted in 2010, adding that it was essential that women knew their workplace rights.
An informal question and answer session took place in the end and was followed by the distribution of awards to the learners and facilitators.
The event was attended by over 200 participants, including non-governmental organisations, school administrators, civil society members, government officials, media personnel, educationists and representatives from the corporate sector.
Source: The News
Date:12/1/2011
