Egalitarian societies are more prosperous and their individuals are happier, freer and capable of living healthier relationships. The researchers show that individuals who live in egalitarian societies perceive greater well-being than those who live in societies with a greater degree of inequality.

As fathers and mothers, educating in and for equality is an opportunity that is ours.

Women are 50% of the population: we are daughters, sisters, grandmothers, mothers and granddaughters. We are victims of stereotypes, the perversion of language, education in inequality, the wage gap, gender violence and glass ceilings. Beyond equality on paper, since we are born, we are treated differently, we are educated differently and things are expected of us that are different from what is expected of children, boys and men. This not only affects us but to the entire society in which we live.

Fortunately, we have come a long way. Barely a century has passed since women’s voting suffrage. We have experienced the increased presence of women in the political sphere, advertising campaigns rethinking gender roles, the me-too movement and massive demonstrations protesting court rulings or, on Women’s Day, vindicating the progress made to not give one step back. All this contributes to awakening the awareness that we still have a long way to go.

In this context, the importance of education is vital. As fathers and mothers, educating in and for equality is an opportunity that is ours. Our sons and daughters will live a fuller life if we are capable of educating them to respect human rights. Non-discrimination and the dignified treatment of all human beings, regardless of what they think, their religion, gender, race or sexual condition, is the pillar for building a better world.

Being aware of the difficulties and questioning what we have learned, perhaps even the education received, is the first step to achieve it. Undoubtedly, in the process, we will see ourselves, challenging for what we understand as “normal” or “proper”, when thinking about the tastes, preferences, reactions and attitudes of boys and girls, when relating in society.

From the perspective of schools and educational centers, it is essential to contribute through, curricular plans and teacher training that work on gender equality, as well as regulations and codes of conduct aimed at coexistence, from respect, non-discrimination and acceptance of difference as a value for a richer and more plural society.

The school must guarantee spaces of educational and learning freedom in which we can question the reality in which we live and build a more egalitarian society.

The reward is precious: the construction of a better world for future generations and, specifically, for our sons and daughters, undisputed protagonists of the 21st century, where equality between men and women will once again be the thermometer of history to measure social development.

 El Petit Panda

El petit pandaEDUCATE FOR GENDER EQUALITY