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Gender-responsive education in crisis & conflict

Putting gender equality at the heart of education in emergencies

Gender in education in emergencies

In times of crisis, education is a lifeline. But for millions of children it is beyond reach, with girls most excluded and vulnerable to drop out. At a time of record levels of displacement, protracted conflict and climate emergency, never has the need been greater to ensure girls get the education they need to rebuild their lives and shape their communities. Through collective advocacy, evidence-building and tool development UNGEI is working to support partners to dismantle gender barriers to education in humanitarian crises.

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Putting the furthest behind first

To deliver on its commitment to leave no one behind, the world must put the furthest behind in education first, especially girls in crises. For girls especially, education can be protective and empowering. Not only is it essential for helping them to make informed choices for better life outcomes, but it is key to their countries’ prospects for long-term recovery, peacebuilding and sustainable development. Yet, tragically, for millions of girls education remains out of reach.

The gender gap in crisis-affected contexts

The facts

4 out of 5 countries with the largest gender gaps are conflict-affected and research suggests this pattern is set to continue:

By 2030, 1 in 5 girls growing up in crises will not be able to read a simple sentence.

By 2030, girls growing up in crises will on average receive 8.5 years of education in their lifetime

By 2030, only 1 in 3 girls growing up in crises will have completed secondary school.

INEE Guidance Note on Gender

Especially in crisis situations, gender can determine whether a child goes to school, stays in school and how they progress as a learner. Produced in partnership with INEE, the Guidance Note on Gender features a range of strategies, tools and approaches for putting gender equality at the heart of education in emergencies.

Gender in Education in Emergencies Resource Centre

We’re building the first ever digital library for organizations and individuals working at the frontlines of education in crisis-affected contexts. This site features all types of tools, reports and learning resources relating to gender in education in emergencies. By facilitating the sharing of knowledge on good practice, the platform is designed to help practitioners develop programming which is gender-responsive by design.

Mitigating threats to girls’ education in conflict-affected contexts

Current practice

Recognizing the unique and intersecting barriers that girls face in conflict-affected contexts, this review examines threats to girls’ education and practices, approaches and interventions to overcome them. Lessons drawn inform recommendations for strengthening gender-responsive education programming in humanitarian settings.

EiE-GenKit: A Core Resource Package on Gender in Education in Emergencies

The new EiE-GenKit comprises a series of practical tools to strengthen capacity on gender-equitable programming for education in emergencies. The tools support practitioners working in EiE to implement existing standards, complementing and operationalizing the Guidance Note on Gender.

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