GENDER EQUALITY IN EDUCATION
Julie Alarcon
Jerome Danan
Jerick Durante
Christina Ferolin
Ashley Layug
Aldrin Lingad
Charlon Mendoza
Keixah Santos
Reydilin Tamandong
Jane Trinidad
Introduction
Gender Equality is tied together with development and understanding human rights.
Gender Equality means the rights or responsibilities and opportunities of everyone even if
they are male or female. Gender Equality helps to empower everyone and break the barriers
between two genders; male and female. Gender Equality in education ensures that all the
students regardless of their gender, will have the same rights, responsibilities and
opportunities. A safe learning environment for everyone without having to feel scared
because of their gender will make everyone feel safe, and by addressing the barriers that
prevent them from reaching their full potential. Gender Equality in education means to build
an open and safer environment so everyone could get a long and will reach their full potential
without having a fear of judgement from anyone. Gender equality in education means that the
school system will be inclusive, responsive, and empowering for everyone. Education has
been shown to improve many people's lives. They now have more dedication, participation in
decision making and has more control to their lives, and they are healthier and also have
improved life expectancy. The arguments for gender equality are human rights, economic
development, and social well-being. Most of the time people argue that gender equality is
already somehow achieved, that individual choices account for differences, or that focusing
on gender distracts from other priorities. Some people do not consider someone’s right and
treat them differently because of their gender, this issue started the argument in gender-based
environment.
Citations
In the study of Myers and Griffin (2019), understanding gender inequality in international
education can help institutions and policymakers develop programs that remove barriers to
women’s full participation, contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal
4, Quality Education, which aims to give everyone fair and equitable education for all.
According to Siyez and Beycioglu (2020), they emphasized that gender inequality in
education is maintained by policies, curricula, textbooks, and teacher expectations, creating
unfair opportunities for boys and girls to access quality education. Based on the study of
Maria Steves (2018), this research is related to the importance of introducing a gender
approach in educational curricula. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development has
defined in its 4th goal the need to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and
promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. According to Eger, Miller and Scarles (2018),
this study shifts the focus from building individual capacities to understanding the relational
acts through which empowerment and education acquire their value and meaning. A study
conducted by Kuteesa et al. (2024) analyzed gender equality in education by pointing out
hindrances in equal access to education for both male and female. The study implies factors
such as cultural norms, financial needs, inadequate infrastructure, and gender stereotypes as
major barriers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, addressing gender inequality in education is a critical step toward building a
more just and equitable society. By dismantling barriers that prevent equal access to learning
opportunities, we empower individuals and uplift entire communities. Ensuring that girls and
boys receive the same quality of education not only enhances personal development but also
drives social and economic progress. Bridging the gender gap in education is not just a moral
imperative—it is a necessary foundation for sustainable development, equality, and a brighter
future for all.
Key Arguments
Argument#1
Promoting gender equality, especially in education, is essential to the masses. Due to the
increase of teenage pregnancy, involving negative social practices, promotion of gender
equality protects the children from it. This approach does not just open doors to learning, but
it also helps the students to grow more confident, respectful, and free from what boys and
girls "should" be.
Evidence:
According to UNFPA (2020), promoting gender equality in education helps females avoid
any negative social practices. Meanwhile, for boys, it helps them reject toxic masculinity.
UNFPA added that girls with secondary education are three times less likely to marry and be
pregnant before the age of 18 than those who do not receive proper education. They also
found out that boys who receive inclusive education are likely to reject gender stereotyping.
A record of statistics is shown by the Philippine Statistics Authority in 2022, they revealed
that teenage pregnancy is the most common among those who reached or finished primary
education. They added that the incidence of teenage pregnancy decreases as educational level
increases. They also found out that men are likely to avoid any negative vices or actions, such
as anything that involves sexual activities. Therefore, promoting gender equality in education
helps and guides the students to avoid negative social practices, and it is also helping in
rejecting gender stereotypes.
Argument#2
Gender inequality manifests in various aspects of life and can take many forms. Here are
some examples across different domains. A study conducted by Barwal (2025), found out
that girls in rural areas are often denied of education than boys due to patriarchal norms, child
marriage, and domestic labor.
Evidence
ln some parts of the world, girls may experience gender inequality while accessing education,
limiting their opportunities for personal and professional growth. According to UNESCO,
women still account for two-thirds of all adults unable to read. Globally, 122 million girls are
not in school. Additionally, certain industries and professions are dominated by one gender,
limiting opportunities for the underrepresented gender.
A. Gender equality, particularly when addressing violence against women, is linked to safer
and healthier communities. It addresses root causes of violence by challenging harmful
gender norms and promoting respect and equal power dynamics.
B. Negative - Some argue that promoting gender equality may disrupt traditional gender
roles, which they believe are important for social stability. This concern often arises from the
belief that men and women have distinct roles and responsibilities within society.
Argument#3
Most of the common problem in the schools right now are violence and bullying. It has been
a long-time challenge and by promoting gender equality will help on creating a peaceful,
respectful, safer and an inclusive environment for the children.
Evidence:
UN Chronicle conducted a study in 2021 and found out that gender equality in education
helps to minimize violence and bullying by encouraging inclusivity and respect among
students of all genders. They also added that this kind of education system reduces the cases
of violence against girls caused by boys and their same gender, girls, which resulted in a
more secure environment for girls and women. In 2019 Banyard et al., conducted an
experiment where they tested a program that amplifies gender equality in education. They
integrated the program on male students, and the experiment showed that the male students
who participated in the program showed a significant improvement in attitude towards the
use of violence in relationships. The experiment showed how the male students shifted away
from behaviors that could lead to any kind of violence. Banyard et al. (2019) also found out
that the program helped in challenging the harmful traditional masculine norms due to the
improvement of the male students perception towards gender equality.
Argument#4
Gender equality in education is one of the foundations of a stronger national economy.
Through this, it ensures that all people, specifically women and men, will acquire the vital
skills they need for work. The country can increase its skilled workers and directly boost
business and innovation if everyone receives equal education.
Evidence
According to Monero (2024), equality in education for genders plays a crucial role in
boosting national economic development by providing essential skills to both young women
and men for the job market. A report from UNESCO in 2020 supported the idea of how
gender plays a crucial role in boosting national economic development. The report
emphasizes that resolving the gender gaps in education can lead to better and more secure
economies because of the empowerment women receive, they can now join and thrive in
workforces just like men do. They also added that equal education for both girls and boys
boosts productivity, income levels, and overall national growth.
Argument#5
Even though girls often do just as well or better than boys in science and math (STEM), they
often feel less confident. This lack of confidence comes from unfair societal ideas and
stereotypes about what girls can do. Boys, on the other hand, often seem more confident no
matter how they perform. This problem stops girls from reaching their full potential and
making big contributions. This is one of the problems that occurs in education, even in
tertiary level because there are strands and courses which are believed to be “only’ for a
certain gender.
Evidence
In 2025, Brage-del-Rio et al. conducted a study that showed how girls in the field of STEM,
or science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, are not confident of their skills even
though the results from boys are similar and, sometimes, better. A similar study by
Marshman (2018) showed that girls are pressured to always excel in their respective fields
due to gender bias. On the other hand, boys are portrayed as exhibiting greater confidence
regardless of their performance. The studies suggest that promotion of gender equality is one
of the vital keys to empowering the confidence of women because You et al., (2023)
conducted a study where they emphasize that supportive environment and reinforcing gender
equality cultivates empowerment on young women to enroll and thrive in STEM in spite of
the fact that gender bias existence.
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