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Using women’s power for change: Education unionists come together for the 4th Education International World Women’s Conference

Equity and inclusion Advancing gender equality in and through education
published 13 June 2022 updated 6 July 2022

From 13 to 16 June, record numbers of women education unionists from around the world are coming together online for the 4th Education International World Women’s Conference. Under the theme, “Using Women’s Power for Change”, the Conference is a festival of ideas, experiences, and strategies to advance gender equality in and through education unions.

“Education union power is women’s power.”

Susan Hopgood, Education International President

“As trade unionists, we recognise the importance of collective power: we build solidarity between workers so we can mobilise, organise and harness our collective power to defend and promote our rights. As education unions, we also defend and promote the rights of our students. In this Conference, as we think about and discuss what it means to refer to ‘women’s power’, let us not forget that we are a profession that is largely dominated by women in most regions. So, in fact, in many of the places where we are joining the Conference from, education union power is women’s power,” stated EI President Susan Hopgood, in her opening remarks. Watch her speech below.

During the Conference, participants will hear from a fantastic line up of women - leaders, educators, unionists, activists, researchers – effecting change around the world. Speakers include:

  • Jan Tinetti | Minister of Internal Affairs, Minister for Women, and Associate Minister of Education | New Zealand
  • Nouzha Skalli | Former Minister of Solidarity, Women, Family, and Social Development | Morocco
  • Margaret Rwabushaija | Member of Parliament | Uganda
  • Fayval Williams | Minister of Education and Youth | Jamaica
  • Vanessa Nakate | Climate justice activist and founder of the Rise Up Movement | Uganda

Over the four Conference days, women education unionists will discuss a wide range of topics, including:

  • Women leading in politics and in education unions;
  • The gendered impacts of the pandemic in unions and in education;
  • The role of education unions in eradicating gender-based violence;
  • The challenges faced by women teachers and female students in conflict and post-conflict settings;
  • Anti-gender, anti-LGBTQ+, anti-critical race theory backlash in education;
  • Young women driving the fight for climate justice;

and much more.

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