Table 4.10:
Barriers to Women's Regular Attendance at ABE
Programs (N = 161)
|
| |
| |
|
Barriers |
% of
Responses |
|
|
| |
|
Lack of childcare |
26.0% |
|
| |
Lack of money |
17.0% |
|
| |
Domestic problems |
16.0% |
|
| |
Illness - children |
14.0% |
|
| |
Illness - women |
13.0% |
|
| |
Personal |
8.0% |
|
| |
Job hunting |
4.0% |
|
| |
Bureaucracy |
1.0% |
|
| |
Lack of interest |
1.00% |
|
|
Table 4-11: Distribution of ABE Programs by Number of Women with
Children under 12 years IN =73) |
| |
| |
| |
Number of Women
with Children
under 12 |
% of Programs |
|
|
| |
| |
None |
2.7%
|
|
| |
1-10 |
53.4% |
|
| |
11-20 |
19.2%
|
|
| |
21-30 |
10.9% |
|
| |
31 or more |
13.7% |
|
|
This finding supports the position that those who are
responsible for providing educational opportunities for women must address the
personal needs of women in a tangible way, if the programs are to be truly
accessible to women.
Over one-quarter of providers identified illness among women
students and/or their children as a barrier to regular attendance in the
programs. To help women deal with their family concerns, ABE programs could
include classes in nutrition, hygiene, and health care.
The need for personal counselling is clear; 24 percent of the
responses given reported women as having domestic and personal problems. It is
extremely difficult for women who are economically and psychologically
dependent on men in their homes to stand up for themselves. Very often, they
have few alternatives but to stay and take the ill treatment given them in
their homes. Counselling facilities should be made available to women through
which they can learn of their rights and alternatives. |