Breaking down barriers to education: Why banning gender discrimination is key to unlocking a brighter future for all Gender discrimination in education is a serious issue that has significant consequences for individuals and society as a whole (United Nations, 2022). In Christianity, it is believed that all human beings are created equal in the image of God. Discrimination of any kind goes against the principles of love and justice that are central to the faith (World Council of Churches, 2016). The banning of gender discrimination is a crucial step toward gender equality and creating a more just society as it promotes gender equality, creates opportunities for everyone, and prevents gender-based bullying and harassment. Promoting gender equality through the elimination of gender discrimination in education is crucial for upholding the values of justice and compassion in the Christian faith. Discrimination and inequality based on gender are inconsistent with the principles of love and justice that are central to the Christian faith, and promoting them is an essential step toward creating a more just and compassionate society. To ensure that girls have the same opportunities to learn and excel as boys, a Christian group might, for instance, support a program that offers free education to girls in areas where gender prejudice is pervasive. Ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities regardless of gender is crucial for creating a fair and just society that values human dignity and respects diversity. According to the UN, ensuring gender equality is a fundamental right and a necessary foundation for a peaceful and sustainable world. Limiting women's and girls’ access to education harms them and restricts their ability to contribute to their communities and societies (United Nations, 2022). Offering equal access to education to both men and women is essential for building a society that embraces diversity and upholds the dignity of all individuals. Implementing policies and practices that promote gender equality in education can help prevent gender-based bullying and harassment, creating a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students. Christian humanism emphasizes the inherent dignity and worth of every human being and promotes the pursuit of social justice and compassion for all. Smith, E. (2019) Implementing policies and practices that promote gender equality in education aligns with these values and can help prevent gender-based bullying and harassment. By implementing genderinclusive policies and practices in schools, Christian communities can create a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students and help prevent gender-based bullying and harassment. While it is important to eliminate gender-based discrimination in education, there is a risk that promoting gender equality may lead to a preference for one group over another or even reverse discrimination, such as providing scholarships exclusively to girls, which may be perceived as discriminatory towards male students, leading to a sense of unfairness. This can be a valid concern; however, it is important to recognize that promoting gender equality does not mean giving preference to one group over another; rather, it means ensuring that all students, regardless of gender, have equal access to education, opportunity, and resources (United Nations, 2022). In conclusion, the elimination of gender discrimination is essential for achieving gender equality, creating equal opportunities for all, and preventing gender-based bullying and harassment. Therefore, it is a crucial step towards building a more just and equitable society. Students organizing and taking part in gender sensibility and awareness campaigns inside their schools is one particular action that may be taken to stop gender discrimination in education. Hosting workshops, seminars, or presentations to inform their peers of the negative impact of gender discrimination and to advance gender equality are some examples of how to do that. Students can also collaborate with school officials to create and put into effect rules and procedures that give all students, regardless of gender, equal access to opportunities, resources, and education. Sources: M. (2022, November 7). United Nations: Gender equality and women’s empowerment. United Nations Sustainable Development. https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/gender-equality/ Churches called to “break new ground” in gender justice. (2016). World Council of Churches. https://www.oikoumene.org/news/churches-called-to-break-new-ground-in-gender-justice Smith, E. (2019). Rauschen Busch and the Christian call for social justice in education. Journal of Religious Education, 67(3), 247-258.
