Accessibility Tools

Gender equality is a fundamental human right and it is a transversal issue crucial to build a healthy society, leave the poverty cycle, and ensure quality education for all. Gender equality means that everyone is equally valued and that their needs, goals, and behaviours are considered equally. Men and women are different in their biology, but everyone should be free to develop, make their choices, and participate in the decision-making process in their community.

In the last decades, some progress has been made to reduce gender inequalities. However women still face barriers in accessing decent work, basic education, and health care. They are victims of violence and discrimination and they are under-represented in decision-making processes.

To overcome these barriers, education, employment, empowerment, and leadership are crucial. Education allows access to knowledge, skills, and abilities which in turn empower girls and young women to access the labour market and raise women's participation and leadership in society. Women involved in political and economic decision-making will contribute with different perspectives and will allow for more informed and inclusive decisions.

Access to education is still not a reality for all. It is a global issue with women being the most affected. Two-thirds of illiterate people are women (UN, 2019), thus quality education, including vocational training, requires a special focus on girls and young women education and training to help them to achieve a better personal, social and professional future.

Action Area

  • Cultural identity

    Cultural identity

    The identity of each human being is based on different dimensions such as gender, age, status and social class, country, religion, politics, among others. In this sense, to understand gender issues, it is necessary to take into account the identity of each person and the cultural context where they live. Interculturality refers to the interaction and exchange of experiences between different cultures through dialogue and mutual respect. Thus, to achieve gender equality is important for individuals to promote intercultural dialogue and understand gender and cultural issues to support the education of girls and women in vulnerable conditions.
  • Gender roles

    Gender roles

    Gender roles are generally based on “gender stereotypes and prejudices” about what women and men should be or not, which depend on culture, religion, education, and social context where people live. Currently, in terms of gender roles, in some contexts, it is still expected that the domestic and family work will be mostly ensured by women and professional work by men. Citizens can contribute to reducing this disparity by dividing the household and family care tasks, having an inclusive language, and supporting family, friends, and colleagues in their decisions about family and professional life, regardless of social norms related to gender issues.
  • Participation

    Participation

    Participation is one of the pillars of citizenship that can only exist if each person is also responsible for ensuring that everyone else has the same rights. Gender equality requires the balanced participation of men and women in professional, social and personal life. Citizen participation also requires attention to situations of gender discrimination and violence. All citizens must report these situations in the various contexts in which they live (family, school, work, internet ...). They can also contribute to raising awareness about gender equality by supporting organisations working on this issue.
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