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PRIORITYMEASURE60
“Develop and strengthen plans and programmes for addressing disparities in the representationand performance of boys and youngmen
in the education system, especially in theEnglish-speakingCaribbean.”
Comments
Prioritymeasure 60 relates directly to theWorldDeclaration onEducation for All and the Framework for Action toMeet Basic Learning
Needs (Jomtien, 1990) and in particular to the framework of action for the post-2015 education agenda, to be adopted at the World
Education Forum 2015 based on the evaluation of implementation over the last 15 years of the Dakar Framework of Action to achieve
education for all by 2015.
The matter is also covered in the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Violence against Women, article 10, in which States
Parties agree to take all appropriatemeasures to eliminate discrimination against women in order to ensure to them equal rightswithmen
in the field of education and in particular to ensure: “(a)
The same conditions for career and vocational guidance, for access to studies
and for the achievement of diplomas in educational establishments of all categories in rural as well as in urban areas; this equality shall
be ensured in pre-school, general, technical, professional and higher technical education, aswell as in all types of vocational training
.”
This measure also bears a relationship to the Santo Domingo Consensus, under agreement 38:
Ensure that the education system, at all
levels and with respect to all forms of teaching, provides timely information to women, girls, adolescent girls, young women, older
women, indigenous andAfro-descendent women, rural women, LGBTTI persons andwomenwith disabilities on the benefits, applications
and availability of vocational training opportunities in science and technology that could contribute to their personal, economic, social
and political autonomy,
and it fits within the broader context of SDG 4, “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote
lifelong learning opportunities for all”, in particular target 4.5, “
By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal
access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, and
children in vulnerable situations
.”
Although this prioritymeasuremakes special reference to theEnglish-speakingCaribbean, it shouldbe noted that, in the case of LatinAmerica,
while women have seen some very positive changes —which must be sustained and improved— in their access to education and in the
educational levelsattained,major policyeffortsare still needed to improve thequalityof education soasnot to reinforcegender stereotypes.
