Gender Equality, HIV and Education

This booklet, produced by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), stresses that tackling poverty and gender inequality, in addition to access to education, is essential to the decrease of vulnerability to HIV infection, particularly among adolescents. Part of a UNESCO series on good policy and practice in HIV and health education, the booklet includes discussion papers that explore the links between gender, HIV, and education.

Among the key conclusions related to communication are the following:

• "Gender equality and a critical understanding of gender norms are crucial for an effective HIV response. Education can contribute significantly to improving gender equality and addressing harmful gender norms if appropriate curricula are implemented by well-trained teachers working in a supportive environment."
• "Both the school environment and the content of curriculum are critical for promoting gender equality among learners:
  • Gender equality in teaching staff can be an important first step but must be complemented by specific actions that promote gender-transformative thinking and actions within the school environment....Teachers need to be sensitised and trained to enable them to deal with issues such as HIV, sexual diversity, gender equality and violence in schools.
  • Curriculum content and materials can specifically challenge existing, harmful gender norms and work to build critical thinking skills among learners and break intergenerational cycles of gender inequality."
• "Harmful gender norms contribute to HIV vulnerability, by decreasing an individual’s agency over their own sexual health and limiting their access to information and services."
• "Beyond the immediate alleviation of poverty, and the benefits this can bring in terms of access to education, negotiating power and choice in sexual relationships, there are long-term societal changes that need to be brought about to have a lasting effect on inequality. The education sector is exceptionally well placed to contribute to these social changes through progressive and critically engaged education programmes on gender equality, HIV and sexuality."
• "Young people’s leadership in the area of sexual and reproductive health and gender equality is a powerful force for change. Young people, including those living with HIV, can play a leading role in promoting sexuality education, gender equality and human rights."
• "Education in schools alone cannot tackle the social and cultural norms that reinforce gender inequality or increase vulnerability to HIV and other sexual and reproductive health problems. Collaboration between parents, communities and schools can enhance the effectiveness of HIV and sexuality education and of efforts to advance gender equality. More specifically, support for parental involvement in school management and for improved communication between parents and children can improve school enrolment and attendance and knowledge of HIV and other sexual and reproductive health issues, especially for girls."
• "Well-designed and well-implemented HIV and sexuality education, complemented by appropriate and accessible services, can increase knowledge, develop skills, generate positive attitudes and modify or reduce risky behaviour....Even in the most challenging contexts, it is possible to stimulate discussion on gender equality and to make a positive difference to students’ attitudes and behaviours."
• "Working with men and boys, as well as empowering young women and girls, is crucial to tackling violence and promoting positive gender norms and attitudes. Education can reach both boys and girls in a trusted and safe environment to make improvements to the health and safety of all learners, in school and outside school."
• "Teachers need to be sensitised and trained to enable them to deal with issues such as HIV, sexual diversity, gender equality and violence in schools."