A GENDER TOOLKIT FOR EDUCATORS By Emily Brown 13 October 2010

A PARTNERSHIP Submission of Proposal to UNESCO on mainstreaming gender into the curriculum and study materials. Proposal indicated that other institutions would stand to benefit too. UNAM, Media Institute for Southern Africa, International University of Management and the Ministry of Education also participated in meetings One of the decisions taken was that a gender toolkit for educators be compiled.

RESEARCH Other gender toolkits are available. In order to make it Namibia specific, a survey was conducted. Six (three females and three males) journalism students selected to act as interviewers. A sample of 119 educators surveyed. Institutions Surveyed: Schools = 17; Colleges = 6; Institutes (NIED) = 1; and Universities = 3) The surveyed institutions are located in Windhoek, Okahandja and Rehoboth.

THE QUESTIONNAIRE AND FINDINGS 1.Are you familiar with the word ‘gender’? 100%: Respondents are familiar with the word ‘gender’. Therefore, awareness is high. 2.What is the meaning of gender? 39%:Defined gender as roles assigned by society to women and men 61%:Defined gender as ‘sex’ – i.e. being male or female

QUESTIONNAIRE & FINDINGS Cont. 3.Have you participated in a discussion recently which focused on gender? 33%:Participated in a recent discussion on ‘gender’. 67%:Had not participated in a recent discussion on ‘gender’. 4.Have you read something recently which focused on gender? 56%: Respondents read something recently which focused on gender 44%: Respondents had not read something recently which focused on gender

QUESTIONNAIRE & FINDINGS Cont. 5.Do you need more information about gender or gender training? 28%:Respondents indicated they don’t need more information about gender or gender training. 72%:Respondents expressed the need to have more information about gender or gender training.

QUESTIONNAIRE & FINDINGS Cont. 6.What, approximately, is the percentage of women/men at your school/institution? 64%: Respondents indicated that they have more women than men on their staff. 24%:Respondents indicated that they have more men than women on their staff. 12%:Respondents indicated a 50:50 ratio, while some also stated that they aren’t sure.

QUESTIONNAIRE & FINDINGS Cont. 7.Does your institution have a gender policy? 60%:Respondents indicated that they don’t know whether their institution has a gender policy. 6%:Respondents said they don’t have a gender Policy. 34%:Respondents said they do have a gender policy.

QUESTIONNAIRE & FINDINGS Cont. 8.Approximately what percentage of top management in your institution/school is female, and what percentage is male? 27%:Respondents indicated that more women occupy positions in top management. 14%:Respondents indicated that they either don’t know or cited a 50:50 ratio. 59%:Respondents said that more males occupy positions of top management.

QUESTIONNAIRE & FINDINGS Cont. 9.Do any of your training curricula include aspects of gender? 44%: Respondents indicated that their training curricula include aspects of gender. 30%: Respondents stated that their training curricula do not include aspects of gender. 26%: Respondents indicated that they don’t know whether aspects of gender are included in their training curricula.

QUESTIONNAIRE & FINDINGS Cont. 10.What would you recommend in order to create greater gender awareness in your institution/school? 27%:Respondents stated that staff/student development to include gender training. 19%:Respondents indicated gender-awareness training is needed. 11%:Respondents indicated that trainers/teachers should speak about gender and teach girls that they have the same rights as boys/gender policy needed to facilitate this. 10%:Respondents stated gender must be incorporated into school curricula/study materials/gender must be mainstreamed.

QUESTIONNAIRE & FINDINGS Cont. 4%:Respondents indicated that gender discussions are needed in all regions, often. 3%:Respondents indicated that there needs to be equality; equity; and respect. 2%:Respondents indicated that they have enough knowledge on gender. 2%:Respondents’ said women should be more assertive. 2%:Respondents advised that more resources on gender are needed. 2%:Respondents suggested that males should participate more (in discussions). 2%:Respondents advised that when recruiting teachers, it should be done from a gender perspective. 2%:Respondents recommended women should study subjects such as Engineering/more women should become educated.

QUESTIONNAIRE & FINDINGS Cont. 1%:Respondents advised that gender balance should be coupled with competence. 1%:Respondents recommended that the focus should also be on the boy-child. 1%:Respondents suggested that more males must be trained as teachers. 1%:Respondents advised that gender units are needed in training institutions/and that gender-related myths must be dispelled.

SEX OF RESPONDENTS 54%:Respondents are female. 46%:Respondents are male.

THE RESULT: A GENDER TOOLKIT

TABLE OF CONTENT

THE FUTURE Institutional and Departmental Gender Policies A Gender Training Unit A gender resource centre

THANK YOU!