Open Learning Communities for Development: Revisiting the Gender Dimensions

Abstract

Although learning may enable mobility, new alignments and identifications, a contrasting reality suggests that women may not be able to fully exercise choice. Open learning communities cannot succeed unless they acknowledge and celebrate differences, seeking to create and construct pluralistic environments which promote and foster these differences (Jain 1997). Conceptual models which emphasize notions of co-evolution (learning and changing together) and partnership between open learning communities (OLCs) need to be developed and expanded.