A framework for improvement of educational and vocational guidance services for girls and women in Asia and the Pacific /

There is a shortfall in the provision of guidance programs to meet the specific educational and vocational needs of girls and women in Asia and the Pacific. Unemployment rates of women are higher than those of men, the lack of articulation between vocational education and the realities of the labor market lead to unemployment, and the narrow range of educational attainment of girls and women increases their vulnerability to displacement in the wake of rapid technological change. Employer bias reinforces these factors. The Australian perspective on services for girls and women is described. From general observations as well as the Australian experience, three key areas in which interventions are necessary to improve vocational guidance and career awareness for women and girls emerged: awareness, teacher practices, and primary education. A rationale, proposed activities, expected outcomes, and resources required are provided for each of the three key areas. A framework for the improvement of educational and vocational guidance services for girls and women, based on needs, actions required, institution or agency responsible, and resource implications, is presented in the following areas: (1) planning, administration, and policy making; (2) curriculum and teaching; (3) educational materials; (4) teachers; (5) educational and vocational guidance; (6) nonformal vocational training; and (7) disadvantaged groups. Appendix 1 provides plans for 17 countries: Australia, Bangladesh, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tonga, and Western Samoa. Appendix 2 gives examples of teacher training units on women in nontraditional jobs, action research, and setting up a career club.) (cml).