Achieving   gender   equality   is   central   to   the   protection   of   human   rights,   the   functioning   of   democracy,   respect   for   the   rule   of   law   and   economic   growth   and   sustainability.   The   promotion   of   gender   equality   in   and   through   education   is   a   prerequisite  to  the  achievement  of  de  facto  equality  between  women  and  men  in  all   spheres  of  life  in  society.

A change in gender relations, women’s empowerment and abolishing negative gender,   sexist   and   sexual   stereotypes   are   key   to   achieving   gender   equality   and   benefit   entire   societies.   By   shaping   gender   representations,   attitudes   and   behaviours,   education   is   an   essential   factor   to   combat   stereotypes   and   bring   about   social   and   cultural   changes.   As   an   Organisation   set   up   to   protect   and   promote   democracy   and   human   rights,   the   Council   of   Europe   has   promoted   gender   equality   and   non-­‐stereotyped   education   at   all   levels.   The   Committee   of   Ministers   Recommendation   on   Gender   Mainstreaming   in   Education   provides   member   states   with  practical  tools  to  promote  gender  equality  in  and  through  education.

The   results   of   the   first   monitoring   round   of   the   Recommendation   indicate   that   despite   the   inclusion   of   the   principle   of   equality   between   women   and   men   in   the   national  laws  on  education  by  the  vast  majority  of  Council  of  Europe  member  states,   the   strategy   of   gender   mainstreaming   throughout   their   education   systems   has   not   been  fully  implemented  in  most  of  the  member  states.

This   compilation   of   good   practices   is   intended   to   provide   examples   of   meaningful   and   promising   activities   implemented   in   Council   of   Europe   member   states   to   promote   an   education   free   from   gender   stereotypes   and   identify   new   ways   to   implement  the  measures  comprised  in  the  Committee  of  Ministers  Recommendation   on   Gender   Mainstreaming   in   Education.   The   presented   initiatives   include   among   others   campaigns   to   inform   and   motivate   girls   and   women   to   choose   non   stereotypical   careers,   gender   equality   training   programmes   for   teachers   and financial assistance provided to families to support girls’ school attendance.

Sharing   of   good   practices   provides   a   very   useful   reference   tool   for   countries   in   the   process   of   developing   new   initiatives.   This   compilation   constitutes   an   important   resource   for   all   stakeholders   eager   to   promote   equality   in   education   and   to   combat   gender  stereotypes  in  and  through  education.

Snežana Samardžić-Marković
Director General of Democracy
Council of Europe