How does UNESCO address the gender challenge?

· by advocating for girls’ education and gender equality in education;

· by ensuring that gender perspectives inform education policy and practices;

· by supporting the provision of services such as teacher training and developing learning materials) that are informed by the gender perspective. 

UNESCO focuses on five thematic areas: youth and adult literacy; teachers; basic education; technical and vocational education and training; education for HIV & AIDS prevention

The Organization is strongly committed to gender equality, and works closely with governments and stakeholders to press for change. Because achieving gender equality in education requires broader social transformations, UNESCO takes a holistic approach across its five sectors. 

UNESCO supports the global advocacy drive to promote gender equality in education. This entails challenging gender stereotypes in curricula and learning materials, addressing gender-based violence in schools; giving teachers the skills and tools to create safer and more effective learning environments that empower girls and boys; scaling up support for literacy including the production of gender-sensitive reading materials for schools and in adult literacy programmes, and providing support to develop national media campaigns in favour of basic education, with a special focus on the girl child.

UNESCO works to strengthen Member States’ efforts in elaborating and implementing gender-sensitive policies and strategies in education. The Organization builds poles of expertise at the regional level and provides technical support to Ministries to introduce gender budgeting into national education plans.

Related Link

Gender equality in basic education, UNESCO, 2002.