Gender Equality is a principle that states that all men and women need to be treated equally and to have the same rights despite their biological differences. These should not prevent them from having the same opportunities to succeed in school and in life.
About 2/3 of countries in the developing regions have achieved gender parity in primary education. In Southern Asia, only 74 girls were enrolled in primary school for every 100 boys in 1990. By 2012, the enrolment rates were the same for girls and boys. By contrast, in the world of work women in Northern Africa hold less than 1 in 5 paid jobs in the non-agricultural sector. And in only 46 countries women hold more than 30% of seats in at least 1 chamber of their national parliament.
Why Education is crucial to achieving SDG-5
Quality, gender-sensitive education encourages the participation of women and girls in all political, economic and public spheres by making sure they are heard and have real opportunities to fully participate. Furthermore, it contributes to putting an end to practices and traditions that impair the physical, mental and sexual health of women and girls. (Access to Learning objectives for SDG-5)
Early Childhood Care and Education
- At this level, learners develop the ability to play positively both with boys and girls, and learn about sharing and being kind to everybody. Boys and girls learn to value themselves and others. (Access Educational materials here)
Primary Education
- At this level, learners familiarize themselves with the impact of gender roles on the identity and rights of girls and boys, thereby acquiring the necessary means to start thinking critically about socially ascribed gender roles and stereotypes in jobs, sports and the family. They are thus able to unfold a degendered understanding of professions, sports and family roles. (Access Educational materials here)
Secondary Education
- The understanding of the social construction of gender is acquired at this stage, including the gender dynamics in roles, professions, sport and households. Learners are capable of formulating strategies to overcome gender bias and to evaluate the role that socialization plays in ‘acceptable’ emotional display. This leads them to challenge traditional gender roles as well as violence and gender discrimination. (Access Educational materials here)
Pedagogical Resources
- Gender Equality In Education - These UNESCO technical Notes are meant to serve as practical information on each topic.
- World Atlas Of Gender Equality In Education - This Atlas illustrates the linkages between different levels, and it situates issues of gender equality in a broader context.
Multimedia Educational Resources
- SDG 5 - Logo with text
- Come Celebrate SDG 5 Gender Equality With Lulu Love & Eco Boys And Girls - Poster
Get Inspired
- Cambodia- Supporting Maternal and Child Health Improvement and Building Literate Environment (SMILE)- Asia-Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO (ACCU) and the Cambodian Women’s Development Agency (CWDA) - Page 51 - This programme works with women and children. It has strong links in the communities in which it operates. It aims to promote self-sufficiency and self-reliance in Cambodian communities and to advance women’s economic and social rights. The objectives are to improve women’s conditions with regard to education and health, to build a literate environment at home and in the community, and to improve the health of mothers and children.
Pedagogical Resources
- Girls Into Science - A training module on motivating girls to embark on careers in science and technology.
- Chakra The Invincible - A comic adventure to support Sustainable Development Goal 5.
- Little Leaders - Bold Women In Black History - Featuring 40 trailblazing black women in the world’s history, this book educates and inspires as it relates true stories of women who broke boundaries and exceeded all expectations.
Ideas for Classroom Activities
- International Women’s Day - Suggestion for drawing an inspiring female figure.
- From Where I Stand - A Gender Equality Project For The Global Goals - This resource aims to: Understand the framework of the Global Goals for Sustainable Development; Gain better understanding and awareness of one global topic, gender equality; Apply local statistics to an action that contributes to the achievement of the Global Goals.
Multimedia Educational Resources
- Journey Back to Tanzania - This video presents girls, their teachers and families and the work done to help girls get into school and stay in school, so that they can complete their primary education
- Girls Education Project - Video presenting the “Transforming Education for Girls Project”
- What Are Young Girls Voting For - This infographic presents the priorities as determined by young girls in 194 countries
Get Inspired
- World Thinking Day Campaign 2012 “We Can Save our Planet” World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) - Page 59 - Focusing on the MDGs raises awareness of the theme and encourages girls and young women to make a personal commitment to change the world around them. Each World Thinking Day theme lasts all year and Girl Guides and Girl Scouts can earn a special badge at any time during the year by completing activities from the WTD pack. WAGGGS produced a pack containing case studies from 5 different focus countries and activities to reduce the use of fossil fuels, save resources in and around the home, switch to the sustainable energy solutions and speak out to make a difference
Pedagogical Resources
- Gender Equality: Why It Matters - Technical Note presenting SDG 5, why gender equality matters, what happens if it is not ensured, how it affects women, why it should matter to us, gender-related challenges, and what we can do.
- Teaching And Learning For A Sustainable Future - Teaching and Learning for a Sustainable Future is a UNESCO programme for the UN Decade of ESD. It provides professional development for teachers, curriculum developers, education policy-makers, and education authors.
- Gender Equality Toolkit - This toolkit introduces to the complex topic of gender equality, with resources and information about the challenges girls face in developing countries, how PLAN addresses these issues and raises awareness about gender equality.
Ideas for Classroom Activities
- Mission: Gender Equality - This resource aims to: Know the definition of gender equality; To explore some of the causes and consequences of gender inequality; To understand how to promote gender equality.
- Everybody Wins When Girls Can Stay In School - This resource helps students to: Understand the term ‘gender equality’; Identify obstacles to girls’ access to secondary education in particular; Recognise the benefits of increased access to secondary education for girls.
- Gender Equality - This teacher and pupil resource encourages classroom activities around gender issues.
Multimedia Educational Resources
- From Where I Stand - A Gender Equality Project For The Global Goals - In this video, Emma Watson briefs students to take part in a Project for the World's Largest Lesson.
- Fighting Against Forced Marriage - This video shows how girls were being denied education and forced to marry due to poverty, but with support from school and community leaders, got forced marriages banned and reinstated education.
- Hurdles - An inspiring video on the obstacles overcome by women throughout history to gain their rights.
Get Inspired
- Uganda- Gender desk: Promoting environmental awareness and preventive education for sustainability. Makerere College. - Page 20- Teachers supported the “gender desks” by relying on some new, innovative and creative teaching methods and skills. A wide range of creative activities were conducted including participative discussions, drama, music, poetry, essay and song writing, and dance. Environmental clubs were set up and students took part in planting grass in the school compound as a measure to prevent soil erosion and in creating recreation areas to enhance the school’s environment. The College set up a programme called “gender desk” to promote behavioural changes and social responsibility by providing peer support for youth facing problems, particularly related to health, environmental protection and sustainable livelihoods. Students have become more knowledgeable about the many serious health risks facing them and are better equipped to take the right decisions concerning their health, environment and peers. The teaching staff has acquired new skills to conduct activities and transmit messages that help to encourage values that promote behavioural change and social responsibility.
