Putting gender at the heart of education planning

Taking place from 7-10 May, the purpose of the workshop is to promote gender-responsive education sector planning across the region. By supporting and strengthening the capacity of ministry of education staff and members of the local education group (LEG) to integrate gender more effectively throughout planning processes, the workshop will help progress the Education 2030 vision of inclusive and equitable quality education that leaves no one behind.

Answering the call for gender-responsive education

The Education 2030 declaration explicitly recognises the importance of gender equality for delivering on the promise of education for all. Reflecting this, Sustainable Development Goal 4 commits to the elimination of gender disparities in education, and the broader 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognises the link between education and gender equality outcomes. 

Answering to the call for gender-sensitive policies and learning environments that progress gender equality in and through education, in 2017 the GPE-UNGEI Guidance for Developing Gender-Responsive Education Sector Plans was published. Developed through consultative workshops with education sector stakeholders, the Guidance is designed to supplement and enhance existing tools on education sector analysis, planning, and appraisal.

The purpose of this week’s workshop is to introduce country delegations from Cameroon, Central African Republic (CAR), Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone and Togo to the gender-responsive approaches to education sector planning outlined in the Guidance. Building on their experience and expertise, the workshop aims to enhance participants’ understanding of gender equality in education. Practical exercises will enable delegates to carry out a gender review of their national sector plan, encouraging them to apply a gender equality lens to country experience. By sharing knowledge, challenges and best practice, delegates will glean valuable insights which can be adapted and applied to different national contexts. After the workshop, participants will support in-country follow up efforts through the LEG and their respective agencies and units.

Our ultimate vision is not just to see the promise of inclusive and equitable quality education delivered for all children everywhere, but for the transformative potential of education in accelerating progress towards gender equality to be realised. This week’s workshop represents another step towards that vision.