5th Education International World Women’s Conference: Rising united for gender justice
Over 300 women education unionists from 57 countries across the world are coming together in Bahia, Brazil for the fifth Education International World Women’s Conference.
In a profession dominated by women in many parts of the world, the flagship Education International event is gearing up to be a transformative global forum for gender equality in and through education and education unions. The conference is co-hosted by Education International member organisations in Brazil—CNTE, CONTEE, and PROIFES.
The theme of the Conference is Rising united for gender justice: Educating the world, leading change, fighting for democracy. Reflecting the priorities of women education unionists everywhere, the Conference will provide an inclusive, safe, and inspiring space for in-depth discussion, knowledge sharing, strategising, and action.
“We must harness our collective power to elevate women’s leadership and achieve gender equality across unions, education, and society. Rising united for gender justice is our call to action, our call to solidarity across borders, our global rally for gender equality”, stated Marième Sakho Dansokho, Education International Vice-President.
Mugwena Maluleke, Education International President, stressed that gender justice is a priority for the entire global education union movement, noting:
“When women rise, unions grow stronger. When women lead, education advances. When women are empowered, democracy flourishes. When we rise united for gender justice, we change the world.”
Women power education, women power unions
Women educate the world and are the heart of the global education union movement. Women make up the majority of educators and outnumber men in most education unions. Yet, women are underrepresented in positions of leadership in education institutions as well as their unions.
Furthermore, the education workforce continues to suffer from low salaries, poor working conditions and excessive work, and high levels of stress and emotional labour. These factors are fuelling the global teacher shortage and are putting the right to education at risk.
At the same time, far-right and conservative forces are gaining ground, threatening to erase decades of progress on gender equality and civil rights.
From the 15 to the 17 of September, Conference participants will explore a variety of topics related to the teaching profession and the education workforce, advancing women’s leadership in education and in unions, and the collective fight for democracy and social justice.
The Conference programme will feature a variety of formats, from plenary and breakout sessions to capacity-building and informal networking moments.
You can use our Communications Toolkit to support your communications about the Conference.
Follow along on social media using #EIWomen.
