Gender Bias in Education

• Studying gender and education promotes equality, improves learning outcomes, and empowers students
• It helps identify and address gender biases, ensuring equal access to opportunities

Gender Biases in Curricula and Teaching

• Gender bias in curriculum refers to the unequal representation and treatment of genders in educational materials
• Gender bias in teaching refers to unequal treatment of students based on gender due to stereotypes, cultural norms or biases

Historical Overview

• Women's access to education was historically restricted by patriarchal structures
• The 19th-century "separate spheres" ideology divided public and private roles by gender
• Feminist movements challenged educational inequalities
• Social movements influenced education, and gender norms continue to shape education

Impact of Gender Bias on Students

• Academic performance is lowered through stereotype threat, unequal support, and biased assessment
• Stereotype threat is the psychological phenomenon where individuals fear confirming stereotypes about their group
• Unequal support results in some students receiving less resources and attention
• Biased assessment occurs when assessments unfairly penalize students due to characteristics like race or gender
• Career aspirations are limited by reinforcing stereotypes and showing limited role models
• Self-perception is harmed by creating self-doubt and limiting beliefs about abilities

Addressing Bias in Education

• Required is a comprehensive approach to tackle gender bias at various levels of education
• Focus is given to inclusive learning environments that benefit all students
• The aim is to transform societal gender stereotypes

Gender Disparities in Educational Opportunities

• Gender disparity in education refers to unequal access and opportunities between genders
• Gender disparity involves differences in enrollment rates, completion rates, quality of education, and subject choices
• These disparities have historical origins and pose challenges to achieving equality and inclusive education
• Barriers include cultural norms, discriminatory practices, lack of funding, and societal expectations

Enrollment Rates

• Enrollment rates reflect the number of individuals from each gender enrolled in educational institutions
• In many parts of the world, females face challenges in accessing education, resulting in lower enrollment rates than males
• According to the 2020 Census, of the 32,071,284 students in the Philippines, 51.4% were males and 48.6% females

Dropout Rates

• Dropout rates refer to the number of students who leave school before completing their education
• Dropout rates often disproportionately affect girls and women due to factors like early marriage and financial constraints
• Approximately 2.13 million students drop out of school annually in the Philippines

Literacy Rates

• Literacy rates reflect gender disparities
• Women have lower literacy rates than men in many parts of the world, limiting access to information.
• In Central Visayas in 2019, women had a literacy rate of 96.9% compared to 94.8% for men

Academic Achievement

• While girls and women have made strides in academic performance, disparities remain in subjects/ fields
• Stereotypes and biases influence subject choices, leading to underrepresentation in STEM fields

Access to Tertiary Education

• Women face barriers like limited opportunities, financial constraints, and societal expectations

Historical Overview of Gender Disparity

• Societal norms have reinforced traditional gender roles and restricted females' education
• For centuries, girls and women have faced barriers such as limited access to schools and funding
• Progress in addressing gender disparity in education has been made through scholarships, education campaigns, and policy reforms

Current State of Gender Disparity Globally

Primary and Secondary Education

• Cultural biases prioritize boys' education, and resources are often directed toward males
• Girls are forced into marriage preventing them from continuing to study
• Lack of school infrastructure disproportionately impacts girls

Higher Education

• Enrollment rates have improved, gender disparities still exist in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)
• Women may face biases that discourage them from pursuing certain fields or hinder career advancement
• It is discouraging when there is a lack of role models, and women don't see other women succeeding
• Higher tuition fees hinder women as well as lack of scholarships, and limited access to financial support

Factors Contributing to Gender Disparity

Socioeconomic Factors

• Inadequate financial resources influence families to invest in boys' education over girls'
• Parents are influenced because sons would be of more benefit to the family
• Girls from low-income backgrounds encounter barriers

Cultural and Religious Factors

• Girls are expected to do domestic chores and take care of children instead of pursuing their education
• Early marriage discourages girls' access to education and gender violence continues to be a problem for gender disparity

Policy and Institutional Factors

• Inadequate financing for education brings about poor resources and infrastructure limiting girls' access
• Schools must nurture environments that challenge negative gender stereotypes

Impact of Gender Disparity

Economic Development

• Exclusion of females results in a waste of human capital
• Investing in girls' education can help to reduce poverty, improved labor force participation, and increased productivity

Social Development

• When girls are denied education, it reinforces domestic roles and diminishes their potential to contribute
• Educated females are more likely to have healthier families and contribute to community development

Addressing Gender Disparity

Government Policies and Interventions

• Governments reduce gender disparities by implementing policies promoting equal education access

• Governments work with international organizations and donors to secure additional funding for building schools in rural areas

• Governments also are eliminating discriminatory laws and programs

  • The Magna Carta of Women (Republic Act No. 9710) promotes the rights of Filipino women
  • The Gender and Development Program is participatory, empowering, and equitable
  • The Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (Republic Act 10931) provides free tuition in state colleges/vocational institutions

Role of Non-Governmental Organizations

• They contribute to addressing gender disparities in education

• They provide support through initiatives like girl child scholarships and awareness campaigns

• Organize campaigns and events to highlight the benefits of educating girls

• Help change mindsets and break down barriers that prevent girls from accessing education

Community-based Initiatives

• Engaging local communities is essential for tackling gender disparities in education

• Initiatives like parent-teacher associations can help change cultural norms and promote equal educational opportunities

• These programs can include that highlight the benefits of educating girls and the negative consequences of gender disparities

Strategies for Gender-Inclusive Education

• It describes laws, discourse, and other social structures that value and accept various gender identities

• In terms of policies and practices:

• Creating inclusive policies means advocating for gender-sensitive guidelines

• Establishing procedures refers to implementing protocols to address gender-biased discrimination

• Promoting facilities with gender-neutral restrooms

• Promoting gender-neutral School Uniforms

• In terms of Curriculum and instruction:

• Challenging learning materials is using educational materials that break away from traditional gender roles

• Gender-Neutral Language – includes all gender identities

• Diverse Role Models represent all gender inspire students and broaden their worldviews

• Intensive Curriculum -incorporating gender studies into the curriculum to raise awareness

• Promoting Gender awareness within education

• In terms of classroom environment:

• Create a Safe and Welcoming Environment

• Encourage Open Conversations and promote empathy and respect

• Group Students in Inclusive Ways and use Inclusive Language

• Normalize Pronoun Sharing