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Home > Policy > White Paper, Notice, Announcement > White Paper > JAPANESE GOVERMENT POLICICIES IN EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND CULTURE 1994 > PART II Chapter 7 Section 5 2

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PART II Recent Trends and Developments in Government Policies in Education, Science and Culture
Chapter 7. New Horizons in Social Education
Section 5. Promotion of Learning and Social Participation for Women
2. Development of Learning Opportunities



(1) Provision of Learning Opportunities

The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture encourages the establishment of classes for women by municipalities, women's organizations, and other organizations to enable women to improve their caliber and abilities and learn skills that will enable them to deal with various issues in their lives. The approximately 32,000 classes that were established throughout Japan in fiscal 1991 attracted about 1.49 million participants.

In addition to efforts to develop and improve women's abilities, there is a need to improve the social environment by raising awareness of gender equality through efforts that target men as well as women. In fiscal 1994 the Ministry responded to this need by inaugurating the Integrated Program for Women's Lifelong Learning. Objectives under this program include research on learning programs and the development of teaching materials, the training of advisers on gender equality to provide specialized guidance, the establishment of "women's lifelong colleges" in cooperation with universities and other institutions, and the implementation of model municipality projects as part of efforts to build a gender-equal society.


(2) Training of Leaders

Various organizations, including boards of education, women's education facilities, and women's organizations, are advancing learning activities by implementing various training programs designed to improve the caliber of women's education leaders.


(3) Development of Women's Education Facilities

Women's education facilities are established primarily to provide various forms of training for those involved in women's education and for women in general, to undertake exchange activities, and to provide information. As centers for various women's education activities by women's organizations and other groups, they also have the goals of developing women's abilities and improving their knowledge and technical skills. In addition to the establishment and operation of the National Women's Education Centre, the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture provides subsidies for local-government programs to establish women's education facilities across wide geographical areas. As of October 1993 a total of 222 women's education facilities (including the national center) had been established.

The efforts of the National Women's Education Centre to promote women's education include the provision of practical training for women's education leaders and others involved in women's education, research and surveys concerning women's education and home education, domestic and international exchange activities, and information-related programs. In July 1991 the center inaugurated an on-line information retrieval service (WINET) with links to women's education facilities and other facilities throughout Japan. The center is now developing domestic and international information networks focused on learning for women.


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