WHY GENDER

MATTERS IN
EDUCATION?
REPORTER: ANALYN A. JAMBALOS
 GENDER
 is an area that cuts across thinking about society, law,
politics and culture, and it is frequently discussed in relation to
other aspects of identity and social position, such as class,
ethnicity, age and physical ability.
 is also an important concept within a range of social and
political debates and may influence these debates differently
according to cultural context.
 is a ‘heavy’ word: politicians and public figures often use it with
negative connotations, for example in referring to ‘gender
police’, or to ideologies that ‘threaten our kids’. These are
examples of how gender can be misunderstood and politicized.
 SEX VS. GENDER
 Sex refers to biological differences between
males and females (e.g. gonads, sexual organs,
chromosomes, hormones).
 Gender is a social, psychological and cultural
construct and it is developed in the process of
socialisation. Different societies and cultures may
therefore have different understandings of what is
‘masculine’ or ‘feminine’.
 SEX VS. GENDER
 Sex refers to “the different biological and
physiological characteristics of males and females,
such as reproductive organs, chromosomes,
hormones, etc.”
 Gender refers to "the socially constructed
characteristics of women and men – such as norms,
roles and relationships of and between groups of
women and men. It varies from society to society and
can be changed.
 WHY GENDER MATTERS
 In Why Gender Matters, psychologist and family physician Dr. Leonard
Sax leads parents through the mystifying world of gender differences by
explaining the biologically different ways in which children think, feel,
and act.
 Gender is an important consideration in development. It is a way of
looking at how social norms and power structures impact on the lives and
opportunities available to different groups of men and women.
 Gender matters not just as identity, or stereotypes, but is also at the core
of how our social world is organized.
 Gender is of key importance in defining the power, privilege and
possibilities that some people have and some people do not have in a
given society.
 WHY GENDER MATTERS IN
EDUCATION?
 For the past few decades there has been an increasing interest
in the different educational experiences, success and eventual
outcomes that prevail for males and for females. The interest
in this area was fuelled in part by a perceived lack of interest
and success of females in a number of areas of schooling –
notably mathematics and the physical sciences. In more
recent times there has also been a focus on the lack of
engagement and success of males, especially in the area of
reading.
 WHY GENDER MATTERS IN
EDUCATION?
 Educational policy has to take into account the existence of gender
differences in performance to be effective in promoting quality student
outcomes and equity. This report draws heavily on the OECD’s
Programme for International Assessment (PISA) where it has been
found that female students do better in reading (OECD, 2001) and male
students do somewhat better in mathematics (OECD, 2004). In science,
the picture is more complex. It has been found that student attitudes and
engagement explain, in part, gender differences in mathematics and
reading, a finding that, by itself, can foster a better understanding of
how students learn and thereby help design more effective educational
policies (OECD, 2007a).
 WHY STUDY GENDER
DIFFERENCES?
There are at least three reasons to study gender differences:
 to understand the source of any inequalities;
 to improve average performance; and
 to improve our understanding of how students learn.
Gender differences point to areas where student background and
characteristics significantly affect student performance.
Understanding what drives differential student performance can
foster the design of effective educational policies to address
quality and equity concerns.
 GENDER EQUALITY
refers to the equal rights, responsibilities, and opportunities for
all individuals, regardless of their gender. This includes equal
access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, as
well as the ability to live free from gender-based violence and
discrimination.
In education, gender equality means girls and boys, men and
women, have the same opportunities to receive education, with
the same resources, and with the same expectations of success.
Gender equality in education also means that the school system
is inclusive, responsive, and empowering for all students,
regardless of their gender.
 SOME OF THE MAIN CHALLENGES AFFECTING
YOUNG PEOPLE IN TERMS OF GENDER EQUALITY
IN EDUCATION:
1. Gender disparities in access to education
Achieving gender parity in primary schools has been an important objective of
many countries in recent years. And many have been successful in 
increasing the enrollment of girls in primary schools. However, though the gap in
primary education between girls and boys has narrowed, disparities persist in
secondary and higher education. Furthermore, many girls and women face additional
barriers such as poverty, social norms, cultural beliefs and practices, and conflict,
which prevent them from attending school and completing their education.
In many countries, girls are less likely to continue their education and more likely
to drop out of school than boys. This is particularly true for young women from
disadvantaged backgrounds, who are often facing multiple barriers to education, such
as poverty, cultural beliefs and practices, and conflict.
 SOME OF THE MAIN CHALLENGES AFFECTING
YOUNG PEOPLE IN TERMS OF GENDER EQUALITY
IN EDUCATION:
2. Discrimination and bias within the education system
Even when girls and young women have access to education, they often face
discrimination and bias within the education system. For example, girls are often
expected to take on domestic responsibilities and are not provided with the same
opportunities and resources to succeed as boys. This can lead to higher dropout
rates and lower educational attainment for girls.
In some cases, the education system is not inclusive and responsive to the
diverse needs of all students. Therefore, addressing gender disparities in access to
education is not only a matter of increasing enrollment but also of ensuring that
girls and young women have access to quality education, are able to complete their
education and have access to the same opportunities as their male counterparts.
 SOME OF THE MAIN CHALLENGES AFFECTING
YOUNG PEOPLE IN TERMS OF GENDER EQUALITY
IN EDUCATION:
3. Insufficient funding and resources
In many countries, there is inadequate funding for education, which can limit
the ability of schools to provide a quality education for all students. This is
particularly true for girls and women, who often have less access to resources and
support than boys and men.

4. Socio-economic factors
Socio-economic factors such as poverty, living in rural areas and lack of
infrastructure, can limit access to education for girls and boys. Girls from poor
families are less likely to attend school, and those who do attend often face
additional barriers such as a lack of sanitation facilities and safe transportation.
 SOME OF THE MAIN CHALLENGES AFFECTING
YOUNG PEOPLE IN TERMS OF GENDER EQUALITY
IN EDUCATION:
5. Cultural beliefs and practices
According to the World Economic Forum’s Gender Gap Report, it will take 115
years to close the gender gap in the Middle East and North Africa. In many
countries in Africa, child marriage and pregnancy often force girls to drop out of
school. While The Marriage Act in South Africa allows girls to be married at the
age of 15 with parental consent, the minimum age of 18 is maintained for boys.
This perpetuates a cycle of poverty and inequality in girls and women.
To address these challenges, African countries need to invest in programs and
policy interventions that promote gender equality in education
 STRATEGIES FOR PROMOTING
GENDER EQUALITY IN EDUCATION
1. Gender-responsive teaching and learning
Gender-responsive teaching and learning involves using teaching methods and
curriculum that are inclusive and responsive to the diverse needs of all students,
including girls and boys. This can include using gender-sensitive language and
images, providing girls and boys with the same opportunities and resources to
succeed, and providing education on gender equality and healthy relationships.

2. Inclusive education policies and practices

Inclusive education policies and practices involve creating an environment where
all students feel valued and respected, regardless of their gender, race, ethnicity, or
socioeconomic background. This involves providing language and cultural support,
providing accommodations for students with disabilities, and creating a safe and
inclusive learning environment.
 STRATEGIES FOR PROMOTING
GENDER EQUALITY IN EDUCATION
3. Engaging communities and families in promoting gender equality in
education
Communities and families play a critical role in promoting gender equality in
education. By engaging with families and communities, schools can work to address
cultural and economic barriers that prevent girls from attending school. This usually
involves working with families to provide girls and boys with the necessary resources
to attend school. Likewise, working communities to promote cultural change and
eliminate practices that discriminate against girls.
 STRATEGIES FOR PROMOTING
GENDER EQUALITY IN EDUCATION
4. Addressing socio-economic factors
Addressing socio-economic factors such as poverty, living in rural areas and lack of
infrastructure, can increase access to education for girls and boys. This can be
achieved by providing:
• scholarships
• building schools in rural and remote areas
• providing safe transportation for girls and boys to school
 STRATEGIES FOR PROMOTING
GENDER EQUALITY IN EDUCATION
5. Investing in teacher training
Investing in teacher training can ensure that teachers are equipped with the
knowledge, skills, and resources to provide a quality education for all students,
regardless of their gender.
Additionally, teacher training in addressing school-related gender-based
violence will help to create a safer and more inclusive learning environment for
female and male students. By providing teachers with the appropriate training and
resources, they will be better equipped to recognize and address gender-based
violence in the school environment and provide support for affected students. This
not only creates a safer and more inclusive learning environment for all students,
but also helps to break the cycle of gender-based violence and promote gender
equality in education.
 REALIZATIONS:
Gender really matters in education, especially in
addressing the differences between students whether
they are male or female and to address these gender
differences gender equality should be promoted.
Each students have different abilities and skills but
we teacher should them equally no matter what is
their gender.
THANK
YOU!
 SOURCES:
 https://www.graygroupintl.com/blog/role-of-education-in-promoting-gender-equality#:~:text=However%
2C%20gender%20equality%20in%20education,workers%20in%20the%20labor%20force
.
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