The “16 days” campaign – gender discrimination in education

02 12 2025

Education should be a space where everyone can develop their potential, regardless of gender, identity, orientation or psycho-physical characteristics. However, some schools and universities still reflect entrenched inequalities and gender stereotypes that can lead to exclusion and violence in school or academic settings.

Violence is not always direct. It can manifest itself in limiting opportunities, discouragement, omission, exclusion or in an atmosphere in which a person feels less valuable or less capable. Discrimination in education is a form of structural violence because it concerns not individual behaviours but systems, norms and practices that affect whole groups.

OECD research shows that girls are still less likely to be encouraged to study STEM (acronym of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects, despite achieving results in maths and science that are comparable – or higher – than boys [1]. Subtle signals: teachers’ comments, societal expectations, textbook role models, influence educational and career choices and ultimately the entire professional future.

The European Commission alarms: more than 50% of female students in the EU report experiencing sexist comments at university and 28% experiencing ridicule or belittling because of their gender [2]. Sexist jokes or stereotypical remarks by lecturers are still common, reducing the comfort of studying and normalising such behaviour in public spaces.

Many schools still do not include equality analysis, reproductive health issues, anti-violence, family diversity or human rights. UNESCO points out that inequalities in textbooks – including the lower visibility of women in academic, political and professional roles – affect young people’s perceptions of educational, development and career opportunities [3].

Building equality education requires both institutional and individual action. These include: countering sexist comments and behaviour, staff training on equal treatment, equal language in classrooms and documents, responding to peer violence and cyberbullying, creating safe spaces for those experiencing discrimination, supporting research and initiatives on gender equality in science, integrating a gender perspective into study programmes.

Equal education is the foundation of a safe, supportive and violence-free school and academic community.

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We would like to remind you of reliable sources of information and places where you can find help:

Feminoteka Foundation supporting women experiencing violence, providing free legal, psychological and therapeutic assistance

Feminoteka Foundation women’s helpline 888 88 33 88 free, confidential and professional help offered by Feminoteka Foundation experts to women who have experienced violence

Women’s Rights Centre support for women whose rights are violated, in particular women experiencing violence, free psychological, legal and social assistance, civic and professional advice

Blue line number 800 120 002 free and confidential support of the Polish National Referral Service for Victims of Family Violence “Blue Line”.

Help map – an interactive map of Poland, containing information about places where women can obtain legal, psychological, social support or accommodation, created by the Czas Kobiet Foundation

Information on support institutions at the University of Warsaw can be found here.

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[1] OECD, Education at a Glance 2023, OECD Publishing, 2023.

[2] European Commission, Survey on gender equality in higher education institutions, 2021.

[3] UNESCO, Global Guidance on Addressing School-Related Gender-Based Violence, 2020.

Compiled from: Autonomy Foundation, https://kampania16dni.pl/zasoby-edukacyjne/edukacja-bezpieczna-dla-wszystkich/