Promoting gender equality in the classroom is essential in not just building a sound and productive class but more importantly in raising balanced children.

The classroom plays an important role in shaping the values and character of children. Therefore, in a classroom whereby a specific gender is given priority, the other gender feels sidelined and excluded. This invariably dims their level of performance and productivity.

Gender equality means that all genders have an equal right to pursue whatever career, lifestyle choice, and abilities they want without discrimination.

Gender equality is the fifth out of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by world leaders in 2015. It recognized gender equality as not only a fundamental human right but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world.

Gender equality should also be promoted in the classroom and in schools to better help all student to gain or have an equal opportunity to learn without bias or favouritism to a gender. Teachers being one of the primary moulders of a student’s life and a major player in the schools and classroom can help to promote gender equality.

Here are Practical Ways to Promote Gender Equality in the Classroom.

1. Avoid gender segregation: You can achieve this by intentionally mixing seating arrangements, mixing boys and girls to work on projects, or carrying out other class activities together.

2. Use gender-neutral language: While talking to the students in your class try to avoid using gender-specific phrases. Phrases like ‘you guys,’ ‘girls don’t fight,’ ‘You’re acting like a girl,’ and ‘be a man’ can limit children’s understanding of gender roles. Instead, use gender-neutral language and set clear rules that bound all the students.

3. Be objective: Treat all your students equally. When you teach about manners, politeness, and courtesy don’t leave any gender behind. Try to ensure that educational materials used in the classroom are gender-neutral.

4. Get women into power: When selecting leadership roles in the classroom, don’t be biased. Make sure every gender has an equal right to go after any role he/ she merits. Don’t preserve any role for any specific gender.

5. Avoid stereotypes: Stereotypes no matter how subtle can have a big impact on students’ self-worth and value. From focusing on girls’ appearance instead of their capabilities to assuming pink colours are for girls and blues are for guys. All these are stereotypes and should be avoided.

Furthermore,

in promoting gender equality, everybody is involved. It is not specifically left for teachers. Parents and every other adult who encounter children in one way or the other are encouraged to also be gender-neutral.

In essence, equal rights, equal treatment, equal respect, and equal opportunities should be made available to all gender. This is an important aim of International Women’s day. This month is dedicated to the facilitation and promotion of gender equality and the 8th of March is dedicated to celebrating International Women’s day.

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