PREFACE

The Canadian Congress for Learning Opportunities for Women (CCLOW) is a national voluntary organization which has been working since 1979 to promote equality of access and equal opportunities in education and learning. CCLOW's research, together with that of other feminist organizations, has shown that women in Canada suffer from systemic discrimination and that education and training can play a major role in overcoming barriers to women's full participation and true equality in Canadian society. In particular, CCLOW has identified learning including formal and non-formal education, training and the influence of life experiences as a primary means through which women can gain economic equality (3).

Early in 1987, the Board of Directors of CCLOW decided to sponsor a new piece of research examining how adult education and training policies in Canada are being implemented and evaluating, from a socio-economic perspective, their effects on women. The study was undertaken in part out of an awareness on the part of the Board that the climate for influencing public policy in Canada has changed significantly during the past two years. Equally important, however, was a recognition by the Board that if CCLOW is to be proactive, rather than reactive, it needs to adopt a carefully researched independent stance with respect to the formulation and implementation of education and training policies for women in Canada.

Terms of reference for the study directed it to focus on policy issues related to access, the role of privatization, and outcomes. The study was to examine all aspects of adult education and training, including adult basic education, post-secondary education (excluding universities) and training in both profit and not-for-profit sectors. The study has examined policy and programs at both provincial and federal levels.

Although the emphasis has been on evaluating the role of adult education and training policy in achieving equality for women within the formal, wage-based economy, the research recognizes that much of the work which women do lies outside the labour market, in the informal economic world of unpaid labour.

The study was carried out during a 6 month period from May-October, 1987. Given the broad terms of reference and the limited time and resources available to it, it has been necessary to take a broad-brush approach. It has not been possible for example, to gather detailed information on the wide variety of locally-funded and operated Continuing Education programs operating across the country. What has been possible is to gain an informed understanding of the general policy context for adult education and training for women in Canada today. Hopefully, this document lays the groundwork for a series of decisions on current and future priorities for more focused research and action by CCLOW.