Library strategies for literacy improvement of women in the Asia Oceania Region

The cultural, economic, and social status in some areas of the Asia-Oceania region has led to poor literacy levels among the women community. Considerable gender gaps in literacy exist in these countries, especially among girls from low-budget families, rural communities and ethnic minorities, as well as those living in conflict zones. This paper discusses the obstacles to literacy achievement of women in the Asia-Oceania region, and presents the benefits that literacy offers. Section 2 presents an overview on the status of illiteracy in the Asia-Oceania region, and points to the gender gaps in literacy achievement. Section 3 discusses thoroughly the obstacles, while the benefits of literacy for women are highlighted in Section 4. Section 5 focuses on the role of libraries in improving literacy, and presents several strategies to be used in this context. These strategies include a broad range of ideas, such as policy-making trends; provision of high quality education; collection and analysis of disaggregated literacy data; development of locally-relevant and learner-oriented literacy programs, as well as educational materials and learning assessment tools; development of education in mother-tongue languages; acting as the jointing points of governments and civil society organizations; development of facilities to encourage women’s participation in literacy programs; development of society-based literacy environments; integration and effective implementation of literacy in plans; and finally, allocation of sufficient funds for women’s literacy programs.