Gender equality and Education: new focus of the Voxbox debate organized by the UNESCO Liaison Office in Brussels

On the occasion of the launch of the eAtlas on Gender Inequality in Education, the UNESCO Liaison Office in Brussels organized on 18 March 2016 a debate at the European Parliament to reaffirm UNECO’s commitment in fostering gender equality in and through education.

Responding to the questions of journalist Alessio Pisanó, Ms. Maria Arena, Member of the European Parliament, Group of the Socialists and Democrats, and Ms. Susan Flocken, Coordinator at the European Trade Union Committee for Education Internal Policy coordination, shared ideas on how to encourage gender equality in and through education in Europe.

Ms. Arena underlined the importance to address stereotypes in the early education system as males lack positive role models in this field. She particularly highlighted the importance of paternity leave. “Only 2,7 % of men are taking parental leave in Europe. Without a good balance between family and work we cannot fight for gender equality,” she said.

Ms. Flocken talked about the importance to teach children that there are no male or female jobs. “We need to make sure that women will not get a job or reach a position only because they are women but because of their qualification “.

The debate is now available online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elNJuCVZED0

Gender Equality is one of UNESCO’s priority for the period 2014-2021. UNESCO, with its multidisciplinary mandate spanning education, culture, communication and the sciences, promotes gender equality in a holistic manner. Ms. Irina Bokova, Director General of UNESCO, recently stated: “In our increasingly globalized world, the societies that succeed best will be those which guarantee women and girls equal access to education, thereby giving them the skills and the opportunities to develop their talent and interests, so they can contribute to build stronger and more resilient communities”.