“Community libraries have the potential to actively engage women and girls who have had limited or no formal schooling that supports their educational opportunities. Community libraries provide a space that supports their empowerment, personal development and ability to engage more fully in their societies” (Jones, 2009, p. 125).

Girls/Women/Families in Community Libraries

Low literacy Population 43% Literacy Rates in Ethiopia Total Population Low literacy Population 43% Literate Men 50% Literate Women 35%

Benefits of Supporting Women Relationship between mothers’ literacy and their children’s literacy and school success Mothers’ literacy breaks the cycle of poverty for their children (especially girls) Improved health for families Improved economic status and social status for women in their communities Preschool literacy as investment in lifelong literacy

Millennium Development Goals: Impact of Promoting Equality and Empowerment of Women

Shared Goals for Literacy and Education of Women, Girls and Families

Women's and Girls' Literacy Heath Literacy: Reading, understanding and applying information about health and hygiene Family Literacy: Using literacy in home and community to function and enjoy; Drawing or writing to share ideas; Notes or letters to communicate messages; Keeping records and making lists; Reading and following directions; Sharing stories and ideas through conversation, reading, and writing. Economic Literacy: Using reading and writing to earn and manage money

Foundations of Supporting Women and Girls in Community Libraries Safe and Welcoming Space. Establish the library as a safe and meaningful place for women and girls. Ensure trustworthy guards. Schedule special times and events for girls and women. Host attractive events for women and girls. Events include coffee ceremony, local women authors, mother and children reading time. Create girls’ reading promotion events such as contests for reading and writing. Relevant Resources. Build a collection of resources relevant to women and girls’ lives. Invite local women’s authors and illustrators to present at the library.   Focus on Key Literacies. Organize your library programs and services that directly support women’s and girls’ health, economic and family literacy. Make displays of relevant materials such as topics of health, parenting, sanitation and hygiene. Schedule story times for young children that mothers are encouraged to attend (family literacy) Establish Partnerships. Establish partnerships with local institutions and organizations such as schools, women’s centres and family planning centres. Attaining the health, economic and family literacy goals should be a community effort and not have individual organizations working in isolation from each other.

Libraries Meeting the Challenges Relevant resources First step strategies Programs Partnerships PREMISES: Flexibility, local relevance of issues addressed, build from learners’ needs

Self-Assessment Part 1 What can be done to create a safe and welcoming environment for girls, women and young families? How can you include activities for girls and women in Reading Week? How can you work with schools to promote reading for girls? How can you work with other community groups to promote reading for women?

Self Assessment: Part 2: How is your library providing support for women and girls? With a partner or in a small group, discuss and record your ideas and examples of structuring the library for women and girls answering these questions: What can be done in your library to create a safe and welcoming environment for girls, women and young families? How can you include activities for girls and women in Reading Week and other special community events? How can you work with schools to promote reading for girls? How can you work with other community groups to promote reading for women?

Ideas Bring mothers and children together around literacy activities Be creative – beyond library books Go to mothers and children Encourage balance in girls’ work and play Support social and economic change for women and their children

Guatemala: Bringing literacy to villages and street children

Ghana: Technology for Maternal Health Service Northern Regional Library’s Technology for Maternal Health service aims to help reduce maternal mortality by improving pregnant women’s access to vital health information. The service, which uses information and communication technology including computers, the internet, mobile phone text messaging (SMS) and radio, and hosts public events at which health workers give presentations and discuss women’s concerns.

Uganda: Gayaza Family Learning Centre Mothers and young children: Encouraging early reading Reading as a community of mothers and children in a community member’s home Uganda: Gayaza Family Learning Centre

Uganda: Rural and Urban Community Libraries for Women and Children Be creative: Drums for storytelling Support social change: Resources for Health

Uganda: Family and Economic Literacy in the Kubbubu Community Library Social and economic change: Initiatives for economic collectives for women

Zambia:The Lubuto Library Project Lubuto is a word in the Bemba language, spoken in central Africa, that signifies knowledge, enlightenment and light. Ceates high quality, open-access libraries to serve Africa's street kids and other vulnerable children and youth. Provides a safe haven and an opening to the world beyond the bleak streets. Offers educational services and the simple pleasure of books and the arts for children who find themselves alone in the world. Partnerships with government, community-based organizations, and professional groups, and Lubuto libraries are owned and run by Zambians. http://www.lubuto.org/

Ethiopia: Girls Reading Clubs, Coffee Ceremonies and Drawing Stories

Planning Your Next Steps Who will be targeted? Who will be partners? What will be your materials? Where will the program be located ? When will the program be scheduled? How will you organize and promote the program in the community? How will you monitor and assess?  

A Final Thought …. One book, one teacher, and one pen can change the world. Malala Yousafzai http://webtv.un.org/watch/malala- yousafzai-addresses-united-nations- youth-assembly/2542094251001/ (text) http://ibnlive.in.com/news/full- text-of-malala-yousafzais-speech-at- united-nations/406812-2.html