Gender equality and education

Gender equality is a global priority at UNESCO. While much progress has been made, large gender gaps still exist in education in many settings, most often at the expense of girls, although in some regions boys are at a disadvantage. Globally, 118.5 million girls and 125.5 million boys are out of school. Women still account for almost two-thirds of all adults unable to read.

UNESCO calls for attention to gender equality throughout the education system in relation to access, content, teaching and learning context and practices, learning outcomes, and life and work opportunities. Guided by the UNESCO Strategy for gender equality in and through education (2019-2025) and the Gender Equality Action Plan, this work focuses on a system-wide transformation to benefit all learners equally in three key areas: better data to inform action, better legal and policy frameworks to advance rights and better teaching and learning practices to empower.