Schools as breeding grounds for gender equality

15.06.14 | News
Schools are an important arena for work to break down gender stereotypes and promote alternative forms of masculinity, education and career choices, according to several of the Nordic ministers for gender equality, who met in Malmö today.

The ministerial debate to mark the 40th anniversary of Nordic co-operation on gender equality at the Nordic Forum conference was a visionary one. The chair of the ministerial council, Eygló Harðardóttir, stressed that men and boys need to be involved in work on the issue.

“It is particularly important to draw attention to the way society generates different forms of masculinity, and how these affect relationships between men and women,” Harðardóttir said.

Sweden's Maria Arnholm (FP) stressed that the gender perspective in schools is also of fundamental importance from a learning perspective.

“We need to close the gap in educational attainment between boys and girls, for example by getting boys to read more,” she said.  

The importance of training teachers, school counsellors and career guidance staff about gender issues was highlighted by the Finnish ambassador to Sweden, Harry Helenius, while the Norwegian minister Solveig Horne (Frp) highlighted the link between school, integration and working life.

“An education is a pathway to supporting yourself. Encouraging more immigrant women out to work is an important part of gender policy. Language and education are the key,” she pointed out.

The ministers noted that if gender stereotypes are not challenged in time they become a breeding ground for violence against women. The Danish minister, Manu Sareen (RV), also warned of everyday sexism.

“Physical violence is the extreme form of violation of women's basic human rights. But we also face a challenge countering everyday sexism – woman being harassed at school, at work or in public spaces,” he explained.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the start of official Nordic co-operation on gender-equality issues The Council of Ministers is acknowledging the milestone at a range of events throughout the year, including at Nordic Forum in Malmö. Read more at www.norden.org/jamstalldhetsjubileum