THE CHANGING ROLE OF WOMEN IN SOCIETY It is generally accepted that in today's society women have access to education and can promote themselves much more easily than in the seventies. Women's changing role is happening because women nowadays are educated. It is recognised as an essential need for achieving equality in most walk of life. There are still problems for girl pupils or women students but no one would deny their rights to study or question it. This is a comforting viewpoint until you begin to dig a little further in the subject of women in education. In the very informative Women Human Rights net page. The most interesting seems to be the follow up of the Beijing conference. The Beijing conference identified 640 million adults women who remain illiterate in the world, mostly in the developing countries. Because women often have to cope with home duties: child rearing and everyday domestic tasks, they do not follow their education and often the girl child will leave the education system without any qualification. The conference is mainly concerned with global education for women. It is reassuring to know that there are strategies set in place for the promotion of women and girls education. My main critic of this conference is that it does not have strategies explore in any form how these stategies can be practically implemented at ground level. There was no links to more specific situations on women. However, The Annual International Conference(IWD) focusing on the themes of current interest to women learners and those working with them, (NIACE's Annual International Women's Day Conference in Birmingham, reports on the 2000 and 2001 conference. Their understanding of women mutifacetted form of learning is encouraging. The reality is that not all women have been able for all sorts of reasons to follow their education. Some have qualifications and experience but wish to further their knowledge during a career break. Mothers may wish to have an educational focus whilst raising their young children. They are the child first educator. A role which is demanding and ongoing for many years. Others are studying to shape a career for the future. Facilities for these women ought to be part of a stategy. It also takes little account of the improvement of women education in terms of skills. In internal training in trade and industry, it is often the men who go on courses. Holding key positions, they are thought to implement a trickle down theory of their acquired knowledge to women working in their unit or department. My working experience in education tends to mirror the conference statement on the education system. Efforts have been made to correct the stereotype role of male and female in text books but the promotion of stereotype images of women is still prevalent. The language of text books remain bias in most subjects or its approach is male orientated. One example in my view is History where men's achievements are promoted and women's achievements left in the background but for few exceptions. Curricula are also gender biased, the commission says, especially in science girls are missing out on basic mathematics, science and technological skills which would give them a kick start in life as well as access to a career valued by society. The article by Prof. Dr. Hannelore Schwedes Universität Bremen, Germany has clearly identify key factors Page 1 THE CHANGING ROLE OF WOMEN IN SOCIETY on gender discrimination in education. His material for this research in extensive and, in my view, read can be with the English educational system in mind. However in England many young women have been successful in getting to grip with what is commonly considered male subjects. They tend to get better grade results too. The involvement of girls and women in education at all level is of prime importance for a changed, informed and participatory role of decision-making in society. One of the most important factor arising from the 70's feminist movement is the recognition that women should get equal pay for equal work, to see them as contributors and valued members of society. Today, women are protected by the Sex Discrimination Act. Yet the Equal Opportunities Commission in 'Valuing Women' puts next to the law on Equal Rights the reality against the application of the act. It shows that flagrant inequality still persists. The examples of unequal pay given in the site above is a point in case. It also reveals that the changing role of women in society by means of education as a way to promote themselves to the level of their expertise is not working as it should. However, individual employment right includes Maternity rights. The Thompsons - Scotland Trade Union Briefing page give a guide on Maternity Rights. In most fields of employment women's presence is felt and their voice is heard. Although there has been progress in understanding the value of women's contributions in many employment fields, there are still huge problems to resolve. Persistence of gender inequalities - facts and figures in 1995-2000 statistics from the 'European Women Lobby' website show that the proportion of women in top jobs is minimal compare to the entire women's task force. The latest report by the Equal Pay Task Force to the Equal Opportunities Commision in pdf format is worth visiting as well as the chart on statistics from the European Commission. It is true that statistics can always be argued on their accuracy yet they can also demonstrate an overall trend. In this case, it shows that even in the best qualified jobs women suffer the discrimination of being underpaid. So, what is the problem? As imperfect as the education system may be, most women have benefited from its teaching. Nowadays many women are qualified for the career they have trained for, yet it seems that only a small minority finds its way to the top. Are we back to the old theme of women raising children? Time devoted to them and the home does not permit a total devotion to a top job. The majority of women when successful, either do not have a family or rely heavily on grandmothers or may be some hefty childminding agency for help. More often they cope the best they can, juggling between a routine job in mid-management and their domestic duties. Other women find part-time more accommodating to their need or choice of life. What about the woman at home? Roberta article: 'The Hand that Rocks the Cradle should be Paid' at the "The Sallie Bingham Center for Women's History and Culture at Duke University's Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library." translates well the need for women at home to be recognised as a valued asset by society and should be paid accordingly. Page 2 THE CHANGING ROLE OF WOMEN IN SOCIETY "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of borders" Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Article19The area where the changing role of women is beginning to make an impact is in the media. The media in its many forms offers opportunities for women to organise and propagate their concerns and demands. For instance, information technology has given women new possibilities to create a platform to diffuse their ideas. Women are now using the Internet and web sites to strengthen their voice and made them visible to the public at large. They have created a network which give them the opportunity to be better informed and thus being in a more efficient position to defend their rights. It also make it possible for them to be in contact with other women thus realising a global sisterhood support system. The APC Women's Networking Support program agenda is to promote the advancement of women by means of ICTs. This association believes that the net will open doors to women and give them greater participation in decisions making. They want to put forward 'alternatives and priorities'. It sees the net as a tool to promote women in society. However, they are rightly concerned that ICTs should not, through lack of access, become a new form of discrimination. It is a welcoming thought that the woman at home should have the support of these organisations. Being at home raising children does not mean being isolated as it is often the case with young mothers. Access to a computer in public places such as a library is not easy with young children. Ownership of a computer is an investment sometimes out of reach for the poorer families. These points raise issues that must be addressed in the future to come. The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (summary) is concerned with the improvement of women's role. It sees progress in women's changing role in the participation and involvement in the making of the material used in the media. It declares that in what ever form, the media should 'promote the equal sharing of family responsibilities'. Regulations and codes of conduct should focus on 'a non-stereotype image' of women. This site has links worth exploring. One particular site is Women and the Media with similar directives. An alternative to the vision of Women and the media is presented by WomenAction 2000. It denounces the 'lack of sensitivity, promotion of consumerism, and the increase in violent and pornographic images of women' in the media. The portrayal of women in 'relatively low rank position in the media' is also taken on board. The link to the EU European Womenlobby is a good one to explore because it has a strong membership. It is 'the largest co-ordinating body of national and European Union, and has '2,700 member associations' from Page 3 THE CHANGING ROLE OF WOMEN IN SOCIETY '15 member states'. The EWL takes action as part of its brief if and when needed. As a watchdog it ensures equality between men and women. The future role of women can be looked at more optimistically. Nowadays, there seems to be a recognition of the vital role women play in society and more status is given to women. Overall, excellent progress has been made in education. This has played a powerful role for women self-esteem. It demonstrates women's intellectual abilities to gain expertise in the field of their choice. However, this progress has still to be reflected in the job market. Since a more educated society is good for industry and society as a whole, it is even more urgent for women to gain an acceptable status in their rofession. The message is that women have the ability to change their role and that they will demand to have the means to do it. It is generally accepted by the new generation of young men and women that co-operation and mutual aid are far more productive than the divider camp of men and women. Society is changing and with it the role of women and men. In many fields women have come a long way from just their role as mothers and homemakers. They are that and far more. They no longer think that children rearing and home management is their sole duty. Women are gaining a greater influence over media choices in the programs that are being transmitted, says the article. They have also more control of what is being heard or seen at home. From this site Press Release The Times Educational Supplement has an interesting article on how the family time is divided. Parent's and children's quality time has treble in thirty years and two thirds of parents help each other with housework, says the article. It is good to see that children nowadays are seen as important members of society: products in the market industry cater for children's need and well being and has now become a booming market. They are well represented on TV and have their own share of viewing time. Most are familiar with computers. Video and films have changed their market to suit them. The girl child today is far more confident and aware of her own place in society. There is hope for the future. It takes time to change opinions and ready made values on women build over centuries, but we are getting there There are other interesting press releases. The one of a particular interest is 'Women in the UK - The shape of things to come' reinforces the points made by this enquiry. In the Reports from the Future Foundation, Sue Tibballs 'The Sexual Renaissance' has taken on an analysis of the 'gender debate today'. It might be interesting for anyone with spare cash and interested in the release. It is a pity that it is not freely available! Of course a lot more is to be achieved if we want a society free from injustice. When women will truly get equal pay a major progress in women's life will have been achieved. This enquiry has not focused on certain areas because the fields of the changing role of women is so vast it would have demanded a greater field of research. Yet this individual assessement cannot be concluded without mentioning the anger felt by many women by the continuous violence and abuse on them. Prostitution, pornography, men lack of respect for womanliness are familiar themes which are exploited for profit by the media on a more or less everyday basis. It is a dark area which need to be brightly lit and looked at uncompromisingly. It is a fact that financial gain, or more often than not, financial needs bring some women to enter into what the politically Page 4 THE CHANGING ROLE OF WOMEN IN SOCIETY correct terminology calls the 'entertainment industry'. The freedom of the individual woman to decide for herself what to do with her live is paramount, the exploitation of women sexuality for profit is not and will never be acceptable to the majority of women. The argument will go on. Whilst there is a market for it there always will be supply and demand. It begs the question: will women ever be free from physical and mental abuse? The twenty-first century women will have to address these issues. Who said that we get the society we deserved? From this site Press Release The Times Educational Supplement has an interesting article on how the family time is divided. Parent's and children's quality time has treble in thirty years and two thirds of parents help each other with housework, says the article. It is good to see that children nowadays are seen as important members of society: products in the market industry cater for children's need and well being and has now become a booming market. They are well represented on TV and have their own share of viewing time. Most are familiar with computers. Video and films have changed their market to suit them. The girl child today is far more confident and aware of her own place in society. There is hope for the future. It takes time to change opinions and ready made values on women build over centuries, but we are getting there There are other interesting press releases. The one of a particular interest is 'Women in the UK - The shape of things to come' reinforces the points made by this enquiry. In the Reports from the Future Foundation, Sue Tibballs 'The Sexual Renaissance' has taken on an analysis of the 'gender debate today'. It might be interesting for anyone with spare cash and interested in the release. It is a pity that it is not freely available! Of course a lot more is to be achieved if we want a society free from injustice. When women will truly get equal pay a major progress in women's life will have been achieved. This enquiry has not focused on certain areas because the fields of the changing role of women is so vast it would have demanded a greater field of research. Yet this individual assessement cannot be concluded without mentioning the anger felt by many women by the continuous violence and abuse on them. Prostitution, pornography, men lack of respect for womanliness are familiar themes which are exploited for profit by the media on a more or less everyday basis. It is a dark area which need to be brightly lit and looked at uncompromisingly. It is a fact that financial gain, or more often than not, financial needs bring some women to enter into what the politically correct terminology calls the 'entertainment industry'. The freedom of the individual woman to decide for herself what to do with her live is paramount, the exploitation of women sexuality for profit is not and will never be acceptable to the majority of women. The argument will go on. Whilst there is a market for it there always will be supply and demand. It begs the question: will women ever be free from physical and mental abuse? The twenty-first century women will have to address these issues. Who said that we get the society we deserved? Page 5 . concerned with the improvement of women& apos;s role. It sees progress in women& apos;s changing role in the participation and involvement in the making of the material used in the media. It declares. Declaration of Human Rights. Article1 9The area where the changing role of women is beginning to make an impact is in the media. The media in its many forms offers opportunities for women to organise. to the top. Are we back to the old theme of women raising children? Time devoted to them and the home does not permit a total devotion to a top job. The majority of women when successful, either