Image credit: Green School, Bali

For all the scientific and technological achievements we’ve made in the last three decades, gender equality is still lacking, globally, in almost every single field. 

According to the UN Secretary-General’s recent report, only 24.9%of national parliamentarians are women. UN Women cites, “At the current rate of progress, gender equality among Heads of Government will take another 130 years.”

Shockingly, it also states that as we navigate our new COVID-framed reality, female nurses, doctors, scientists, and front-line healthcare workers get paid 11% less than their male counterparts. 

The future of women’s full and effective participation in public life across all sectors, begins now, in schools.

This week, we’re celebrating the many amazing achievements from our partner schools’ students around the world. Truly inspirational achievements from our future leaders, guided by their caring and globally-minded educators.

One child, one teacher, one pen and one book can change the world. Education is the only solution.

Malala Yousafzai, education activist and the youngest Nobel Prize laureate

Female creative expression in schools

Celebrating the work of female musicians, painters, writers, performers, and other artists recognizes the contributions and successes of these individuals. The work of female artists has long been denied acknowledgement for its originality and ingenuity. 

The state of female artists is very good. But the very definition of art has been biased in that ‘art’ was what men did in a European tradition and ‘crafts’ were what women and natives did. But it’s actually all the same.

Gloria Steinman, feminist, journalist, and founder of Ms. magazine.

By encouraging young people to celebrate creative expression from all people, these schools are working towards a global future in which we value pieces of work and life achievements of female artists.

Pioneering women in science, sports, and education

For those individuals breaking new ground in any field, there are unknown challenges to overcome. For those who continue to do this in the face of societal opposition, there are even more obstacles to overcome. Women who continue to push boundaries in science, sport and education remind us of the importance of striving for excellence. 

Certain people – men, of course – discouraged me, saying [science] was not a good career for women. That pushed me even more to persevere.

Francoise Barre, virologist who won the 2008 Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine

Schools supporting female students to follow their passion are working to create more equity. These school communities are developing pioneers across gender lines in academic and extracurricular disciplines. 

Female leaders in service learning 

Women are the driving force of community organizations, global movements, and activism around the world. From Myanmar’s Protests to young climate activists, female leaders are changing how people organise and advocate for equality around the world. 

Every moment is an organizing opportunity, every person a potential activist, every minute a chance to change the world.

Dolores Huerta, labor organizer and leader of the Farm Worker’s Union during the 1960’s.

Teacher Horizons partner schools are shaping the next generation of feminist activists by enable students to engage in service learning and peer education to support their communities.

Inspiring the next generation of students

Efforts to tackle the future issues will require innovation, creativity, and idealism. Students of today will be the leaders of these changes and in the light of a year of unprecedented challenges we turn to women who have inspired millions of young people. 

Fight for the things that you care about but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Supreme Court Justice and co-founder of the Women’s Rights Project of the ACLU.

Schools partnering with Teacher Horizons continue to teach and inspire the next generation of female change makers and trailblazers.

Interested in teaching with our partner schools? Inspire the next generation of female leaders around the world by joining Teacher Horizons today.

Main image credit: Green School Bali
Written by Roz Pen
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