Gender stereotypes and educational choices

Publication of Disrupt Demand project comparative report and toolkit
February 1, 2019
Έμφυλη Ισότητα στην Εκπαίδευση: Καινοτόμες Παρεμβάσεις μέσω Μουσικής και Παιχνιδιού
May 21, 2019

How do gender stereotypes affect children and youth especially those in secondary school or otherwise key transitional phases in life?

We recently published two reports on European projects that explore the impact of gender stereotypes, as well as how to combat these through innovative methods to help young people make educational and career choices that allow them to better fulfill their dreams and potential.

GenderEd report - Combating gender stereotypes in education

The impetus for this research was a deeply rooted belief that education is a great tool to challenge unequal gender-based power relationships.

The purpose of the report is to obtain better insight into the reproduction of gender stereotypes in the school environment. It also aims to record good practices which, consciously or not, can lead to a resistance towards dominant gender-based stereotypes and strike a blow to the phenomenon of entrenched gender inequality.

The findings of this research have already been utilised to create an app called Dream Fighters (now available at no charge on the Apple App Store and Google Play), as well as innovative pedagogical tools (under the category of non-formal learning). These can be used inside and outside of the school environment to challenge and fight against gender stereotypes standing in the way of young people's future aspirations.

Access the report below in English or Greek

Gender Ed: Combating gender stereotypes in education - EN Download

Gender Ed: Καταπολεμώντας τα στερεότυπα του φύλου στην εκπαίδευση - ΕΛ Download

Free to Choose report - Gender segregation in education and employment in Cyprus

The aim of the Free to Choose project is to identify attitudes and behaviours that perpetuate gender stereotypes and influence gender segregation in education and employment in five EU countries: Cyprus, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Slovenia.

Gender segregation is a phenomenon by which certain sectors or fields in education or work witness a high concentration of one gender over another. Horizontal segregation refers to the dominance of men or women in certain educational and/or occupational sectors. Vertical segregation refers to the over-representation of men in leadership positions. Educational choices strongly contribute to the reproduction of horizontal segregation in the labour market.

The report focuses on the research results in Cyprus, and also provides background information regarding the status of gender equality in the country. Access the report below in English.

Free to Choose_Gender segregation in education and employment in Cyprus Download

Bonus: a sneak peek at the Free to Choose board game!