Ei-iE

Jens Kalaene
Jens Kalaene

Equity and inclusion

We defend and promote the principles of equity and equality in education, in education unions and in society. We are fully committed to combating all forms of racism and of bias or discrimination due age, disability, ethnicity or indigeneity, gender, gender identity or sexual orientation, language, marital status, migratory status, political activism, religion, socio-economic status, trade union affiliation, among others. We are committed to addressing these forms of discrimination through an intersectional lens, which enables a deeper understanding of the complexities of lived experiences.

I think Education International has a leadership role to play… If we’re going to have a more civil society, a more inclusive society, then we have to model that by including men but women as well, people of different ethnic groups or religious backgrounds. All of us have to be involved and be at the table and have that kind of respect.

Professor Mary Hatwood Futrell, First elected EI President, 1993–2004

Promoting and advancing gender equality has always been an Education International priority. We believe that education can play a key role in empowering women and girls and can contribute to breaking through the cycle of gender discrimination. The Education International Gender Equality Action Plan highlights three main priorities:

  1. Promoting women’s leadership and participation within education unions;
  2. Taking action to increase intersectional gender equality in and through education;
  3. Promoting and securing women’s economic empowerment.

The unequal and gendered impact of the COVID-19 pandemic risks erasing years of progress on equity and inclusion throughout the world. Together with our member organisations, we mobilise to challenge and help dismantle all structures of inequality in education and beyond. As part of this work, we have called for equity audits to be conducted at all levels of education in order to ensure the pandemic does not define the lives of an entire generation of students.

Our work in this area

  1. News 8 June 2011

    ILO: Child labour challenged in demand for decent work

    At this week’s International Labour Conference, members of the International Labour Organisation will be presented with recommendations to support the safety of domestic workers, including provisions to combat child domestic labour.

    ILO: Child labour challenged in demand for decent work
  2. News 8 June 2011

    Latin America: Women’s Networks keep moving for equality

    The Southern Cone Women’s Network of EI’s Latin America Region met from 6-7 June in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to evaluate the results and challenges of EI’s World Women’s Conference held in Thailand in January 2011.

    Latin America: Women’s Networks keep moving for equality
  3. News 27 May 2011

    European teacher unions on the move for equality

    Fifty representatives of European teacher trade unions met in Brussels this week at the annual ETUCE Equality Committee. The discussions focused on overcoming gender stereotypes in and through education, on measures to achieve economic empowerment of women, and on steps to make trade unions places of equality, empowerment and respect...

    European teacher unions on the move for equality
  4. News 27 May 2011

    OECD: EI speaks up for young people, jobs and gender equality

    EI has broken new ground today by addressing the full Ministerial Council of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) on the need to tackle youth unemployment and gender inequality.

    OECD: EI speaks up for young people, jobs and gender equality
  5. News 19 May 2011

    Dutch students bring a resolution on child labour to the European Commission

    Twenty-eight students and four teachers from the public school Stedelijk Gymnasium Nijmenen, Netherlands, have been invited by EI to learn more about trade union work on child labour worldwide and present a resolution to the European Commission.

    Dutch students bring a resolution on child labour to the European Commission
  6. News 16 May 2011

    Equal rights, respect, and dignity for all workers

    The global federation of unions, Education International (EI), Public Services International (PSI), and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) join other human rights defenders in celebrating International Day against Homophobia. Working in cooperation, the three global unions restate their pledge to resist all form of discrimination, intolerance and persecution based...

    Equal rights, respect, and dignity for all workers
  7. News 21 April 2011

    Zambia National Union of Teachers holds its first Women’s Conference

    Three months after EI’s First World Women’s Conference “On the Move for Equality”, ZNUT convened its Women’s Conference and for the first time elected the ZNUT Women’s Committee. This body will preside over women’s activities, promote and monitor women’s participation and involvement in union affairs at all levels.

    Zambia National Union of Teachers holds its first Women’s Conference
  8. News 21 April 2011

    Zambia National Union of Teachers holds its first Women’s Conference

    Three months after EI’s First World Women’s Conference “On the Move for Equality”, ZNUT convened its Women’s Conference and for the first time elected the ZNUT Women’s Committee. This body will preside over women’s activities, promote and monitor women’s participation and involvement in union affairs at all levels.

    Zambia National Union of Teachers holds its first Women’s Conference
  9. News 18 April 2011

    Democratic Republic of Congo: promoting gender equality in teaching

    Almost forty teachers’ union leaders have assembled in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to participate in a workshop on gender equality. The two-day training, which was held from 28-29 March, was organised by EI’s African Women Education Network (AWEN).

    Democratic Republic of Congo: promoting gender equality in teaching
  10. News 7 April 2011

    Educating women and girls saves lives

    On 7 April, World Health Day, Education International reaffirms its commitment to the education of women and girls around the world.

    Educating women and girls saves lives
  11. 30 March 2011

    EI World Women’s Conference: teachers on the Move for Equality!

    EI held its first World Women’s Conference, in Bangkok, Thailand, from 20-23 January 2011. The successful event allowed teacher unionists to engage in passionate debates and assess the progress made on gender equality around the world.

    EI World Women’s Conference: teachers on the Move for Equality!
  12. 29 March 2011

    International Women’s Day 2011: celebrating 100 years of women’s rights

    On 8 March, men and women around the world marked the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day with the demand for equal access to education, training, science and technology to build pathways to decent work for women.

    International Women’s Day 2011: celebrating 100 years of women’s rights
  13. 29 March 2011

    Celebrating Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans History Month in British schools

    Throughout the month of February, since 2005, teachers and members of EI’s British affiliates have taken the opportunity to celebrate LGBT History Month to teach their students and colleagues about the lives, experiences and diversity of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Britain.

    Celebrating Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans History Month in British schools
  14. 25 March 2011

    Interview with Jan Eastman: A teacher unionist dedicated to gender equality

    Jan Eastman is EI’s Deputy General Secretary with responsibility for human, trade union and equality rights. She is former chairperson of EI’s Status of Women Committee. Jan is a native of Tasmania. She taught English and Social Studies in Canada before specialising in educating students with learning disabilities. In this...

    Interview with Jan Eastman: A teacher unionist dedicated to gender equality