Sexism is a set of beliefs that promote ideas that men hold an inherent superiority to and dominance over women. This is the basis of traditional gender norms, roles, and rigid expectations of men and women. A sexist person believes that maleness and masculinity are better, smarter and are morally superior to femaleness and femininity. Sexist beliefs limit possibilities for everyone.

The concept of sexism was initially formulated to raise consciousness about how narrow gender-based beliefs restrict the rights of women and girls but now sexism can refer to the restriction of rights of anyone based on gender.

Educational practices and curricula often implicitly or explicitly reinforce sexist attitudes and beliefs. Gender transformative education aims to challenge sexism in its various manifestations across educational policy, curricula, pedagogy, and institutional relationships.