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The Education International Executive Board joined the global mobilisation around the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. The Education International leadership drew attention to various forms of gender-based violence, its causes and drivers, as well as the work and role of the education union movement in putting an end to this most pervasive violation of human rights.

“Around the world, nearly 736 million women have experienced sexual or physical violence. Women and girls from marginalised communities, those who face displacement because of war and crisis, people with disabilities, and members of the LGBTI+ community are the most vulnerable. We have a collective responsibility to act. As teachers, education workers, and as unionists, this is a core priority”, stated Mugwena Maluleke, Education International President.

President Maluleke and Ann Mari Milo Lorentzen, Chair of the EI Status of Women Committee which brings together all women of the EI Executive Board, issued a joint statement to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

Praising the work of education unions to end gender-based violence, Lorentzen stressed the essential role of education in this global effort, highlighting the importance of free inclusive quality public education in challenging harmful stereotypes, attitudes, norms, and practices that fuel gender-based violence.

“This is why we call on all governments to Go Public! and Fund Education. Ratify and implement Convention 190 and Recommendation 206 of the International Labour Organization. And we need to continue to push for the implementation of the United Nations Recommendations for a strong and resilient teaching profession everywhere”, Lorentzen concluded.

Standing up to the anti-rights movement in education and beyond

Executive Board members Johanna Jaara Åstrand, Shelley Morse, Evelyn DeJesus, and Nadine A. Molloy came together to draw attention to the anti-rights movement and its discourse filled with hate speech, misogyny, and discrimination that incites and normalizes violence. As DeJesus notes, “education is a battleground in this fight for our values and for our rights”, with schools and educators being targeted with book bans and harassment campaigns.

“As teachers and as unionists, we will not allow education to be taken hostage by far-right forces. At our 10th World Congress, we resolved to stand strong against censorship, against any form of discrimination, extremism, and violence. As unions, we will defend the professional autonomy of teachers and the right of every student to quality inclusive education”, concluded Johanna Jaara Åstrand, EI Vice-President for Europe.

Ending violence and harassment in the world of work

Education International Executive Board members Marjolaine Perreault, Maike Finnern, and Manuela Mendonça called on all governments to ratify and implement Convention 190 and Recommendation 206 of the International Labour Organization.

“Convention 190 is a powerful tool that allows trade unions to advocate more effectively for the rights and dignity of workers, especially women and marginalised people. It helps ensure everyone can work in an environment free from gender-based violence and harassment”, Finnern explained.

Recognising the work of education unions in the development of Convention 190, Perreault encouraged unionists to continue their mobilisation until the convention is “fully implemented in every single country, for every single worker”.

Drawing attention to gender-based violence and the climate emergency

The gendered impacts of climate change were highlighted in a statement by EI Executive Board members Gilda Montero, Unifah Rosyidi, Correna Haythorpe, and Ann Mari Milo Lorentzen

“The fight against gender-based violence and our fight for climate justice cannot be separated. Research indicates that women and girls are up to 14 times more likely to be harmed during a disaster and the number of these extreme weather events grows every year”, Montero warned.

“It is time to focus on an intersectional approach to gender-based violence and the climate emergency. We need to champion gender-responsive climate policies. We need to ensure the Education International Manifesto on Climate Change Education for All is implemented around the world so that all students have the information they need to take decisive climate action. We need to listen to Indigenous knowledge and learn to live sustainably. We need to make sure all women and girls have access to quality education so that they can take the lead in this global fight for justice and equity”, Lorentzen stated.

Mobilising to end school-related gender-based violence

For many years, education unions have been working to stop gender-based violence in schools around the world. These efforts were recognised by Executive Board members Becky Pringle, Hélène Nekarmbaye, and Jalila Al-Salman.

Noting that millions of victims suffer in silence, Pringle stressed that “violence has no place in our education communities. School-related gender-based violence is a violation of the right to quality education and the right to good working conditions. Education unions everywhere are determined to make a difference.”

“Our Congress resolution to end school-related gender-based violence makes it clear that it is not possible to deliver quality education without addressing child protection and staff safety in education settings. We resolve to continue our work until all students, teachers, and education staff in all their diversity feel safe and supported in our schools”, Al-Salman concluded.

Gender-based violence amid wars and conflicts

With wars and violent conflicts on the rise in many regions of the world, members of the EI Executive Board came together to highlight their devastating impact on women and girls. Ann Mari Milo Lorentzen, Manal Hdaife, Olha Chabaniuk, and Marième Sakho Dansokho spoke about the lives of women and girls in conflict zones around the world, bringing the wars in Palestine, Lebanon, Ukraine, and Sudan into sharp relief.

Sakho Dansokho concluded with a strong call to action: “As teachers and unionists, we stand for peace and for human rights. We call for the protection of schools as safe sanctuaries. We stand with teachers everywhere who are essential to building a culture of peace in our communities and societies. Stand with us.”

During the 16 Days of Activism and every day, education unions will continue to work for a world that is free from violence for women and girls in all their diversity.