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 18 September 2012

    EFA must include marginalised boys and girls trapped in labour

    EI has reacted to an article published in World Education Blog, hosted by the Education for All (EFA) Global Monitoring Report team, which declares that “improving teaching and learning is crucial, especially for the marginalised.” It reiterates that the EFA goals will not be achieved unless child labour is eradicated...

    EFA must include marginalised boys and girls trapped in labour
  2. News 6 September 2012

    Iran: education union defends gender equity in access to university

    EI’s affiliate, the Cooperative Council of Iranian Teachers Trade Associations, CCITTA, has condemned the new Iranian legislation denying female students access to higher education.

    Iran: education union defends gender equity in access to university
  3. News 9 August 2012

    Empowering Indigenous Voices

    On 9 August, International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, EI reaffirms the rights of indigenous children to universal quality education at all levels.

    Empowering Indigenous Voices
  4. News 26 July 2012

    Arab countries work towards gender equality

    EI affiliates from 11 Arab countries participated in the first meeting of the EI Arab Women’s Network (AWN) to initiate strategies to empower women teachers and increase their unionisation across the region.

    Arab countries work towards gender equality
  5. News 24 July 2012

    From the fields to the classrooms: Child Labour Conference

    EI member organisations will address links between child labour and poor access to quality education at the International Conference on Child Labour in Agriculture from 28-30 July in Washington, USA.

    From the fields to the classrooms: Child Labour Conference
  6. News 17 July 2012

    US Secretary of State calls for workers’ and women’s rights

    Supporting workers’ rights and women’s rights would help to ensure a more just global economy. That’s according to US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, who addressed a Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Policy Dialogue in Cambodia on 12-13 July.

    US Secretary of State calls for workers’ and women’s rights
  7. News 13 July 2012

    Canada: Deficit is not an excuse for underfunding Aboriginal education

    Former Prime Minister Paul Martin has delivered a keynote address at the Canada Teachers’ Federation (CTF) Annual General Meeting held under the theme, “Teacher organisations: charting the course for democracy,” from 11-13 July in Halifa, Nova Scotia.

    Canada: Deficit is not an excuse for underfunding Aboriginal education
  8. News 2 July 2012

    EI Regional Committee condemns dismissal of Paraguay's President

    In a statement released on 22 June, the EI Regional Committee for Latin America called on EI affiliates to stand in solidarity with the democratically elected government in Paraguay and its people and to express their strong condemnation of the unlawful deposition of Paraguay´s President.

    EI Regional Committee condemns dismissal of Paraguay's President
  9. News 11 June 2012

    On 12 June, speak out against child labour in schools and unions!

    EI and its member organisations commemorate World Day Against Child Labour on 12 June. 2012 marks the 10th anniversary of the World Day which, every year, provides an opportunity to shed light on the scope of child labour on a world scale, as well as raise awareness among teachers and...

    On 12 June, speak out against child labour in schools and unions!
  10. News 8 June 2012

    Benin: spotlight on child labour and child trafficking

    A commitment to track down the sources and causes of child trafficking and child labour in Benin emerged from a teacher trade unionists seminar in Cotonou, Benin, from 9-11 May. EI organised the national trade union training and awareness-raising workshop under the theme, “The impact of quality public education for...

    Benin: spotlight on child labour and child trafficking
  11. News 25 May 2012

    Colombia: Show of strength to eradicate child labour

    Common strategies to influence public policy to eradicate child labour must be articulated by education unions. This is essential for the promotion and defence of education as a fundamental right.

    Colombia: Show of strength to eradicate child labour
  12. News 16 May 2012

    IDAHO: Teacher unions committed to promoting inclusive and safe learning environments for all

    On 16th May, the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia, Education International reaffirms its commitment to promote inclusive and safe learning environments, free of harassment, bullying and homophobia or any other form of discrimination, in which all members of the school community are treated with respect and dignity.

    IDAHO: Teacher unions committed to promoting inclusive and safe learning environments for all
  13. News 15 May 2012

    European education unionists challenge gender stereotypes

    EI European Region, the European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE), discussed teacher trade union actions challenging gender stereotypes and gender segregation in the labour market during a peer-learning activity (PLA) and a training seminar. These events were held from 9-10 May, in Brussels, Belgium, in the frame of a...

    European education unionists challenge gender stereotypes
  14. News 26 March 2012

    European unionists fight for equality in times of crisis

    EI European region, the European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE), held its annual Equality Standing Committee on 26 March in Brussels, Belgium. Education unionists reaffirmed the importance of equality in unions, education and society, to improve opportunities for sustainable and socially fair economic recovery.

    European unionists fight for equality in times of crisis
  15. News 8 March 2012

    Spain: FETE-UGT rewards the work of Republican female teachers

    Spain’s female teachers of the Second Spanish Republic have received the award 8 de marzo, in acknowledgement of the important work carried out by them during the 1930s.

    Spain: FETE-UGT rewards the work of Republican female teachers
  16. News 7 March 2012

    8th March: International Women’s Day: Teachers on the Move for Equality

    To mark International Women’s Day, 8th March, EI, which represents thirty million teachers and other education employees throughout the world, the majority of whom are women, is highlighting women’s and girls’ right to quality education and to economic empowerment. In this context, EI wishes to emphasise the intrinsic value of...

    8th March: International Women’s Day: Teachers on the Move for Equality