Education Unions Consolidate the Fight for Gender Equality

In a significant step towards fostering inclusivity and equity in education, the Education International Africa (EI Africa) regional office hosted a pivotal webinar on 24 April 2025 under the theme "Education Unions Advancing Gender Equality” within the framework of the Africa Women in Education Network (AWEN). 
 
In his opening remarks, the EI Africa Regional Director, Dr. Dennis Sinyolo, said the theme of the online workshop was a reminder for all to do more to “promote gender equality within our unions, our education institutions and communities”. More so in the face of “an onslaught on gender equality, diversity, equity and inclusion by the Trump Administration and other right-wing governments in Europe and around the world”, there is a dire need to protect these fundamental rights, he added.
 
The event brought together  123 voices from across the continent to discuss and share experiences related to the AWEN Toolkit, which aims to empower women to take on leadership roles within education unions.
 
The toolkit is a result of resolutions passed at the 10th EI Africa Regional Conference, informed by the findings of the EI Africa study on barriers to women’s participation and leadership of education unions, which underscore the urgent need for education unions to prioritize gender equality in their structures and practices. The toolkit, therefore, answers the call for the implementation of comprehensive strategies to dismantle systemic barriers that hinder women's participation and leadership in education unions. 
 
Dr Sinyolo also stressed the need for EI member organizations to address School-Related Gender-Based Violence (SRGBV). “We should work together to eradicate violence, sexual harassment, bullying, and corporal punishment in our schools. We condemn violence, conflict, kidnappings, and attacks on schools, teachers, and students across Africa. Our schools should be safe sanctuaries and havens of peace, rather than centres of conflict and strife. Let us work together to make our education institutions safe and welcoming to all”, Dr Sinyolo counselled.
 
During the webinar, Tracey Konstant, the consultant behind the study and the AWEN Leadership Toolkit, presented its six modules designed to enhance women's leadership in unions. She emphasized the importance of this toolkit as a guide and empowerment resource for women leaders. The toolkit is a practical guide for raising gender equality in unions, designed for practical use by union members at all levels while helping members to reflect on and influence union systems and cultures to encourage women's leadership. It also provides tools to identify obstacles and develop simple, practical solutions.
 
Panelists; Helene Neckarmbaye (SET Chad), Mary Mulenga, Gender Director/ZNUT/Zambia Khanyi Mdziniso, Gender Coordinator, SADTU, South Africa shared their insights on effectively utilizing the AWEN Toolkit for capacity building and mobilizing members. The panelists, who had piloted the toolkit in their countries, concurred that the toolkit was useful and usable.
 
In three language groups, the participants identified the structures/ levels of the union that would benefit from going through the toolkit training process, the strategies to ensure effective training of union leaders and members using the toolkit, and the practical measures the unions should take to ensure sustainability of the gender equality training programs.
 
Together, the participants of the AWEN webinar are poised to take bold steps in advocating for the rights of women and girls, reinforcing their determination to make a lasting impact in the education sector.
 
In his closing remarks, the Regional Director encouraged all to make full use of the Toolkit to train and build women's and union power. “The Toolkit can be a powerful tool for capacity building, membership recruitment, organising and mobilising,” he observed, urging them to share their experiences with EI Africa so that they can inform and inspire others to use this important tool to advance gender equality.
 
He thanked all who had participated and contributed to the successful workshop, as well as the AWEN partners, the Swedish Teachers Union (STU), Union of Education Norway(UEN), and the Canadian Teachers Federation (CTF) for the past and continued support that has brought AWEN this far.
 

[Tue, 29 Apr 2025 15:36:41 +0000] | DIGG THIS


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