The Convention of the Elimination of All Forms of Discriminations Against Women is an example of the important policies accepted by 139 governments, but whose provisions have yet to be realized in practice. Beneficial agreements, laws and policies must be adopted, and if possible enforced, but they alone will not cause the needed change. Only as individuals are moved to do the right thing will the right thing get done. The change in men's treatment of women in the home, community and workplace is needed. At the Womens Forum I discussed the role of teacher expectations in student achievement and gave practical examples on how to lessen bias against young women by giving more equal response opportunities, feedback and personal regard.
Education can play a key role in creating a better world.
Teachers play a vital part in developing their students' potentials so they can become contributors to their own and others' betterment. When teachers limit students' development or fail to assist students in realizing their capabilities, then both the individual and society suffer. Most teachers often unknowingly limit or hamper the development of female students because of their limited or negative expectations of them. Others' behavior toward young women belies beliefs that they are inferior or should have an inferior position to boys. Three things at the Forum had great impact on me.