Gender Equality In Primary Schools

This hands-on guide supports primary teachers and other school staff in challenging gender stereotypes, and sets out advice on how to implement gender equality and respect in the curriculum, and in all areas of school life. An increase in the number of transgender children - and a recognition of gender reassignment as a protected characteristic under the 2010 Equality Act - means that all primary schools need to ensure they are safe environments respectful of all genders. This book draws on the 'Gender Respect Project', which identified the need to address gender stereotyping and gender-based violence with children and young people. The book is full of lesson plans, case studies, clear guidance and recommended actions as well as further reading and resources. Extending beyond awareness of other genders, this book provides a framework for a gender equality approach in the classroom, and empowers children to think critically about gender and to respect themselves and others.

Subsequent to the demographic transition, Asian countries have been experiencing deep-rooted changes in family structures. In this context, the question of gender relations within the family, and more generally within society, is crucial, in view of the increase in discriminatory practices toward women, beginning at foetal conception and continuing through all stages of life. Asia is the “black continent” for women. Estimates place the deficit in the number of women in the world at between 60 and 100 million, the vast majority of which is found on this continent. This book focuses on the intensity of female discrimination, from a demographic perspective, in the earliest stages of life, and more specifically around birth, in China, India, Pakistan, the Republic of Korea and Taiwan. These societies share cultural characteristics that are not favourable to women: patriarchal systems, patrilineal families, socialization processes encouraging the submission of wives to their husband's family, etc. In these societies, a son is needed to perpetuate the family line and ensure social and biological reproduction of the family. These are among the reasons why they share a strong son preference, which is in some cases accentuated by economic constraints. A son is generally the only person to support his parents in old age, and as a rule help with work in the fields. Moreover, girls and women still occupy a marginal position in society, whereas a male heir offers countless advantages.

The contributors describe their involvement in national, local and school level equal opportunities projects. In describing the initiatives, the book reflects their impact and discusses what can be learned from them in the context of boys' underachieving.

This book combines analysis of policy and empirically based studies on gender, education, and development.

Offers information about the notion of gender mainstreaming, a strategy for ensuring women's rights be addressed through policy, planning and implementation. This book focuses on the issues arising from a lack of clarity about the meaning of gender equality in education.

This fascinating compilation of the recent data on gender differences in education presents a wealth of data, analysed from a multitude of angles in a clear and lively way.

Contributors discuss some key challenges in achieving gender equality in education, give examples of initiatives in a range of contexts, and make recommendations for action. They suggest that there is a more substantive goal to aim for than gender parity, for an equitable education system which allows all individuals to develop their potential.