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. News 7 February 2014

    The European Parliament calls for EU roadmap to protect fundamental rights of LGBTI people

    On 4 February 2014, the European Parliament adopted a resolution to safeguard the fundamental rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people. The resolution calls upon the EU to make a roadmap to make fundamental rights a reality of LGBTI people.

    The European Parliament calls for EU roadmap to protect fundamental rights of LGBTI people
  2. News 6 February 2014

    India: Unions develop Action Plan for gender equity

    A South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Women’s Network Planning Meeting has been held in New Delhi, India. Three union leaders from EI affiliate All India Secondary Teachers’ Federation (AISTF) National Office, six AISTF representatives from the Indian Maharashtra State, as well as six AISTF representatives from the Indian...

    India: Unions develop Action Plan for gender equity
  3. News 4 February 2014

    Joint PSI-EI statement on LGBT rigths violations

    EI and Public Services International (PSI) join LGBT groups and other human rights defenders in condemning increasing intolerance and attacks on the rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people. Governments the world over appear to be abdicating their duty to protect and advance the human rights of all...

    Joint PSI-EI statement on LGBT rigths violations
  4. News 29 January 2014

    India: Unions develop Action Plan for gender equity

    A South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Women’s Network Planning Meeting has been held in New Delhi, India. Three union leaders from EI affiliate All India Secondary Teachers’ Federation (AISTF) National Office, six AISTF representatives from the Indian Maharashtra State, as well as six AISTF representatives from the Indian...

    India: Unions develop Action Plan for gender equity
  5. News 28 January 2014

    On the move for equality by mainstreaming and developing expertise on gender equality in unions

    EI Deputy General Secretary Haldis Holst underlines the need to combine mainstreaming of gender equality policies and expertise in gender issues within education trade unions and the teaching profession, to help achieve quality education for all. These topics and many more will be addressed during the Second EI World Women’s...

    On the move for equality by mainstreaming and developing expertise on gender equality in unions
  6. News 13 January 2014

    Montenegro: LGBT in curriculas

    Center for civic education and LGBT Forum Progress have, with the support of Council of Europe, published a book "Montenegrin educational policy and sexual orientation : representation of LGBT topics in school curricula and textbooks" by the author mr Aleksandar Sasa Zekovic

    Montenegro: LGBT in curriculas
  7. News 19 December 2013

    African workshop focuses on gender mainstreaming

    The Pan-Africa Teachers’ Centre (PATC) and EI African regional office (EIRAF) have joined UNESCO, UNICEF and several progressive regional and international organisations in coordinating a project to develop, print, validate and pilot a UNESCO guide on gender mainstreaming containing 10 modules to be used in Teacher Training Institutions (TEIs) in...

    African workshop focuses on gender mainstreaming
  8. News 18 December 2013

    Sri Lanka: Seminar focused on union role in national legislation

    National laws, especially on gender issues, came under the spotlight at an International Labour Organisation (ILO)/National Laws Seminar evaluation and planning meeting attended by six EI affiliates from Sri Lanka. The seminar was organised by EI and its Norwegian affiliate, UEN, in Colombo, from 13-15 December.

    Sri Lanka: Seminar focused on union role in national legislation
  9. News 18 December 2013

    Respect migrant workers’ rights, say unionists worldwide

    The contribution of migrants to their host countries and countries of origin must be recognised. That’s according to Global Unions, the international trade union organisations, which include EI. Global Unions made the call to mark International Migrants’ Day on 18 December. In their statement, the Global Unions call for the...

    Respect migrant workers’ rights, say unionists worldwide
  10. News 25 November 2013

    Joint Statement on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

    Gender-based violence (GBV) is a fundamental violation of human rights. It is one of the worst manifestations of gender-based discrimination, disproportionately affecting girls and women, and a major obstacle to achieving gender equality. This is a global phenomenon that knows no boundaries geographical, cultural, ethnic, economic or other.

    Joint Statement on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
  11. News 21 November 2013

    Senegal: Call for increased participation of women

    Some 300 women (and a number of men) from 100 countries are attending the second world women's conference organised by the International Trade Union Confederation’s (ITUC) in Dakar, Senegal, from 19-21 November. This is the first time that an African country is hosting an ITUC World Women’s Conference. In recognising...

    Senegal: Call for increased participation of women
  12. News 14 November 2013

    Argentina: Call for free lay and egalitarian sex education

    EI’s affiliate in Argentina, the Confederación de Trabajadores de la Educación de la República Argentina (CTERA), supported the theme of the XXII March for Pride in Sexual Diversity: “Free lay and egalitarian sexuality education”; the march proceeded from the Plaza de Mayo to the Plaza del Congreso in Buenos Aires...

    Argentina: Call for free lay and egalitarian sex education
  13. News 7 November 2013

    Nepal: Union rights and gender issues highlighted at educators’ workshop

    EI and its national affiliates, the Nepal National Teachers' Association (NNTA), the Nepal Teachers' Association (NTA), and the Sansthagat Vidyalaya Schickshak Union Nepal (ISTU), co-organised a joint workshop on trade union rights and gender issues in trade unions, education and society in Kathmandu, Nepal, from 22-24 October. Discussions were held...

    Nepal: Union rights and gender issues highlighted at educators’ workshop
  14. News 25 October 2013

    European trade unionists want equality added to quality in education

    The Standing Committee for Equality of EI’s European region, the European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE), has met in Brussels, Belgium. From 21-22 October, education unionists highlighted the need for and activities organised to achieve equality in education.

    European trade unionists want equality added to quality in education
  15. Publications

    Child labour and Education for all

    A resource guide for trade unions and a call against child labour and for education for all
    16 October 2013

    The effective elimination of all forms of child labour is a key objective of the international trade union movement. Universal access to free, quality, compulsory, basic education is the foundation stone to achieve this goal. ILO Convention 138 makes clear the linkages between the elimination of child labour and access...

    Child labour and Education for all
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