Gender Equality Taskforce in Education and Learning
Overview
This taskforce will identify measures to address the gender inequality which remains evident in education and learning settings.
It will advise on potential changes in practice and actions to support a gender equal experience of education and learning for all girls and young women.
Remit:
The role of the taskforce is to drive action which will ensure that:
- girls and young women in Scotland have a gender equal experience of education and learning from early years settings, through primary, secondary and in community learning, in an environment which is free from sexism, sexual harassment and gender based violence
- from the outset, approaches to subject choice and paths to employment are developed with a gendered lens
- that women staff in education settings work and progress in an environment which is compliant with health and safety regulations, free from sexism, sexual harassment and gender based violence
- outcomes align with a preventative approach to Gender Based Violence (as outlined in Equally Safe) and which provides a gender equal experience of education for all learners
Background
The taskforce was established in February 2020 to fulfil one of the recommendations made by the First Minister’s NACWG to: 'establish a commission on gender equality in education and learning, covering early years, primary and secondary education and learning tasked with providing bold and far-reaching recommendations on how gender equality can be embedded in all aspects of learning (from teacher training, to school behaviours/cultures, to the curriculum and community leadning and development (CLD) practice).'
Strategic Goals
The Taskforce has three strategic goals which guide its work:
That girls and young women in school, early years and CLD settings are:
- being taught by education professionals who are well-supported, confident and effective at promoting women and girls’ equality and rights, in settings steered by gender competent leaders, and where gender barriers in the profession have been broken down
- not experiencing sexism, sexual harassment or gender based violence in the classroom or other educational setting
- freely choosing subjects and areas of study from a gender transformative curriculum, including those traditionally dominated by boys and men
Members
- Jenny Gilruth, Cabinet Secretary for Education & Skills, co-chair
- Kathryn Dawson, Rape Crisis Scotland, co-chair
Gender equality expert organisations
- Anna Ritchie Allan, Close the Gap
- Katie Horsburgh, Zero Tolerance
Education stakeholder organisations
- Laura Caven, COSLA
- Carrie Lindsay, Association of Directors of Education in Scotland
- Selma Augestad, Educational Institute for Scotland
- Tara Lillis, NASUWT
- Dr Laura-Ann Currie, Education Scotland
- Dr Marion Allison, CLD Standards Council
Scottish Government
- Victoria Bruce, Early Learning & Childcare
- Clare Hicks, Director Education Reform
- Judith Ballantine, Equalities in Education (Secretariat)
- Catherine Law, Equalities in Education (Secretariat)
Publications
Gender Equality Taskforce in Education and Learning: terms of reference
Gender equality in education: Scottish Youth Parliament research
Gender Equality Taskforce in Education and Learning: response to reports
Gender equality in education and learning: Children's Parliament report
Gender Equality Taskforce in Education and Learning: Theory of Change report