About AWE

AWE, through its branches and executive, works actively to further the participation of women and girls in education.

The Association...

Encourages and supports women, so that they can effectively pursue careers in education;
Works to eliminate all forms of discrimination in curriculum, in institutional practices and in policies;
Undertakes research projects to make difference for girls' education;
Responds to issues of concern for women both in education and the community;
Lobbies for further reforms and change generally to enhance the position of women in education and society.

This work focuses on these strands...

Education as a career path for women;
Issues which affect the quality of education available to girls and young women;
Societal attitudes/actions which perpetuate a stereotypical view of women and create a barrier to the full participation of women in education and, in society, generally.

How AWE works

AWE is an association committed to the full participation of women and girls in education.

Networking

We encourage women to set up contact groups within their areas of interest or their regional location. The Executive facilitates this activity. Currently there are 21 branches of the Association of Women Educators located throughout Australia. Ten members are required to establish a branch. Contact the AWE office for a starter kit, or if you require further details.

Publications

We publish a professional journal, REDRESS, and other literature which will help achieve the goals of the organisation. The Association’s publication Gender Up Front was released in 1997. "Everyone is Special! A Handbook for Teachers on Sexuality Education" was published in 1998.

Seminars

We have an annual program of seminars and/or workshops on topics relevant to the goals of the Association, for the purposes of information dissemination and professional development.

Conferences

AWE convenes a national conference every second year. We encourage members to attend/assist to organise conferences which will provide a forum for discussion on matters relevant to the goals of the Association.

Curriculum/Policy Watch

We are proactive about scanning any new policies, curriculum initiatives and materials to ascertain their likely effects on matters relevant to our goals.

Working Parties

We establish working parties as the need arises to respond to policies, write submissions to reviews, formulate a plan of action on a specific topic.

Lobbying

We actively lobby people/organisations in a position to influence outcomes on matters relevant to the goals of the organisation.

Representation

We seek representation on any decision-making body or organisation which is concerned with matters relevant to the goals of the organisation.

Research

We support/conduct research into issues which are relevant to the goals of the Association, especially action research or action learning projects which are school based.

Association of Women Educators