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. Worlds of Education 7 March 2023

    Understanding and taking action for gender equality in science and technology

    Lina Ethel Merino

    On February 11, the world marked the International Day of Women and Girls in Science with the aim of raising awareness of the barriers that prevent women from accessing the world of science and technology, as well as promoting their full and equal participation in the sector. What are these...

    Understanding and taking action for gender equality in science and technology
  2. News 7 March 2023

    Teachers raise their voice for gender-responsive and empowering public education at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women

    The sixty-seventh Session of the Commission on the Status of Women takes place at the United Nations Headquarters, in New York, from 6 to 17 March 2023. The Education International delegation is there to call on all governments to Go Public and Fund Education , so that all women and...

    Teachers raise their voice for gender-responsive and empowering public education at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
  3. Worlds of Education 6 March 2023

    Are new technologies feminist?

    Pauline Schnegg

    Surprisingly, while most teachers (70% of teachers in France are women) are in favour of equality between girls and boys, as soon as the words “feminist pedagogy” are uttered, they are met with confusion and even rejection. It is like claiming to be in favour of equality without promoting the...

    Are new technologies feminist?
  4. Worlds of Education 2 March 2023

    From “private affairs” to a statutory Queer Committee in the union

    Bodo Busch

    LGBTI rights in the workplace are human rights and therefore a genuine union issue. The conditions and ways to defend them are very different around the globe. For the German Education & Sciences Union (GEW), the path started from grassroots groups after a reform of the penal code in 1972...

    From “private affairs” to a statutory Queer Committee in the union
  5. News 17 February 2023

    Development cooperation backs up Arab education unions’ actions for democracy, gender equality and quality education

    Many development cooperation (DC) partners participated in the Education International (EI) Café at the EI Arab Countries Cross-Regional Structure (ACCRS). They received information on recent challenges and progress of education unions in the region.

    Development cooperation backs up Arab education unions’ actions for democracy, gender equality and quality education
  6. Worlds of Education 16 February 2023

    Haiti: Society and education communities in the grip of chaos

    Georges Wilbert Franck

    After the earthquake of 12 January 2010, that marked a painful turning point in the history of the Haitian people, the Republic of Haiti has experienced a succession of crises due to both natural and man-made disasters.

    Haiti: Society and education communities in the grip of chaos
  7. Worlds of Education 15 February 2023

    Overwhelmed, undervalued, and underpaid: Governments must act to support teachers in contexts of displacement

    Stella Oryang Aloyo

    Working as a teacher in an emergency situation is challenging but it can also be very rewarding. The opportunity to be a positive influence on my students, watching a student learn, grow and become a good person, knowing that I can be part of this process gives me a wonderful...

    Overwhelmed, undervalued, and underpaid: Governments must act to support teachers in contexts of displacement
  8. Worlds of Education 14 February 2023

    Education in Lebanon – a crisis with no end in sight

    Manal Hdaife

    Year after year, Lebanese people cannot live in peace, security, and prosperity, as crises overwhelm them, destroying everything except the hope for a better tomorrow.

    Education in Lebanon – a crisis with no end in sight
  9. Worlds of Education 13 February 2023

    The unseen struggle and challenges of Afghan teachers

    Fazel Ahmad

    During the last four decades, Afghanistan has witnessed a series of destructive wars, and it is a fact that war causes deaths, destroys infrastructures, and severely impacts various aspects of people's lives. Throughout these times, Afghan teachers have always served the youth of the country, with honesty and dedication.

    The unseen struggle and challenges of Afghan teachers
  10. News 23 January 2023

    Go public! Fund Education: Education International launches new global campaign

    On 24 January 2023, International Day of Education, Education International is launching a new global campaign to fund public education and the teaching profession. The campaign Go public! Fund Education will support Education International´s member organisations in their fight against budget cuts, austerity, and privatisation, and as they mobilise to...

    Go public! Fund Education: Education International launches new global campaign
  11. Worlds of Education 17 December 2022

    Refugee Education: Key Tensions and Opportunities

    Maysa Jalbout, Katy Bullard

    Refugee education is more critical than ever. Centering refugee voices and resolving key tensions in policy and programming will be critical for ensuring that all refugee students and teachers receive the support they need. Teachers’ unions can play an important role in these processes, connecting refugee teachers to valuable services,...

    Refugee Education: Key Tensions and Opportunities
  12. Worlds of Education 7 December 2022

    #16Days | Using technology to foster meaningful conversations on gender-based violence

    Aayushi Aggarwal

    Over the past two years, the world has undergone massive changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These abrupt and unpredictable changes have required adjustments to how we work and have challenged us to re-think, re-assess and re-formulate our approaches and engagements. Gender at Work’s engagement with Education International on capacity...

    #16Days | Using technology to foster meaningful conversations on gender-based violence
  13. Worlds of Education 5 December 2022

    #16Days | Brazilian women fighting to protect the Amazon

    Fátima da Silva

    The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an international UN Women campaign that has been running since 1991 and which provides an opportunity to reflect on the issue of abuse suffered by women around the world. The campaign runs from 25 November to 10 December and this year...

    #16Days | Brazilian women fighting to protect the Amazon
  14. Worlds of Education 2 December 2022

    #16Days | Ending the violence against Indigenous women and girls

    Tesa Fiddler

    The tragedy of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls must not continue to be part of the narrative of Canada. Indigenous women and girls have experienced colonial violence and genocide for hundreds of years and it must end.

    #16Days | Ending the violence against Indigenous women and girls