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 17 January 2011

    Afghanistan: Taliban may allow girls back into school

    Afghanistan’s Education Minister, has claimed a breakthrough in discussions with the Taliban has led to agreement for it to end its opposition to Afghan girls attending school.

    Afghanistan: Taliban may allow girls back into school
  2. News 22 December 2010

    EI welcomes end of emergency prior to World Women's Conference

    EI welcomes the Thai government's decision to lift the state of emergency in Bangkok and surrounding provinces. The good news comes one month before EI’s First World Women's Conference from 20-23 January, 2011.

    EI welcomes end of emergency prior to World Women's Conference
  3. News 22 December 2010

    UN votes to restore LGBT clause to killings resolution

    UN member states have voted to restore a reference to sexual orientation in a resolution against the unjustified killing of minority groups.

    UN votes to restore LGBT clause to killings resolution
  4. News 16 December 2010

    Education trade unions working to combat sexual discrimination

    Teachers from across Latin America met in Sao Paulo to share effective tools in the struggle against all forms of discrimination and to have the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, included on the trade union agenda.

    Education trade unions working to combat sexual discrimination
  5. News 13 December 2010

    Global LGBT movement to join human rights allies

    More than 300 activists from 76 countries have participated in the 25th World Conference of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

    Global LGBT movement to join human rights allies
  6. News 9 December 2010

    Women’s Rights are Human Rights

    On 10 December, International Human Rights Day, EI commemorates the struggle for women’s rights, and looks forward to inspiring discussions at its first World Women’s Conference in Bangkok from 20-23 January, 2011.

    Women’s Rights are Human Rights
  7. News 24 November 2010

    Teacher unions work to prevent violence against women

    On 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, EI pledges to accelerate its awareness programmes and union education activities to prevent violence against women.

    Teacher unions work to prevent violence against women
  8. News 18 November 2010

    People coming out as gay at younger age, research shows

    The average age at which people come out as gay, lesbian or bisexual has fallen steadily over the last four decades, according to the British gay rights group, Stonewall.

    People coming out as gay at younger age, research shows
  9. News 18 November 2010

    Videos online for EI’s first World Women’s Conference

    Videoclips are now online to promote EI’s first World Women’s Conference, On the Move for Equality, which is being held from 20-23 January, 2011, in Bangkok, Thailand.

    Videos online for EI’s first World Women’s Conference
  10. News 16 November 2010

    EI reaffirms commitment to indigenous peoples’ rights

    The Latin America Regional Meeting on Public Education and Native Peoples has concluded with EI commitment to quality bilingual inter-cultural public education and respect for existing cultural diversity.

    EI reaffirms commitment to indigenous peoples’ rights
  11. News 22 October 2010

    Promoting quality public services to fight women's poverty

    This year’s theme of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, “From Poverty to Decent Work: bridging the gap”, is highly relevant to EI’s First World Women’s Conference.

    Promoting quality public services to fight women's poverty
  12. News 13 October 2010

    EI lends support to the World March of Women

    EI has sent a message of solidarity to the World March of Women taking place in Bukavu, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which is set to close its third international action from 14 to 17 October, 2010.

    EI lends support to the World March of Women
  13. News 8 October 2010

    Serbia: It is time to guarantee LGBT rights

    As Serbia’s LGBT community gets set to march, for the first time since 2001, at Belgrade Pride on 10 October, EI declares its support and solidarity for the event, and calls on the authorities to guarantee organisers and participants’ safety.

    Serbia: It is time to guarantee LGBT rights
  14. News 7 October 2010

    Decent work, decent lives for women

    7 October is the World Day for Decent Work – a day to remember the precarious situation of millions of women around the globe, and to call for decent work and decent lives for women.

    Decent work, decent lives for women
  15. News 28 September 2010

    Humanitarian solution needed for Mapuche prisoners in Chile

    EI is extremely concerned about the health and wellbeing of 34 Mapuche political prisoners who have been on hunger strike for 75 consecutive days, since 12 July, and who have been joined by two young people on hunger strike since 1 September.

    Humanitarian solution needed for Mapuche prisoners in Chile
  16. News 24 September 2010

    Education International on the move for equality

    EI is convening its First World Women’s Conference,‘On the Move for Equality’, from 20-23 January 2011, in Bangkok, Thailand. The registration process is now open and EI encourages all its members to attend the event.

    Education International on the move for equality
  17. News 13 September 2010

    Women's network raises key debate in Latin America

    EI Latin America (IEAL) Women’s Network has celebrated its fourth Southern Cone regional meeting in Argentina from 8 to 9 September.

    Women's network raises key debate in Latin America