Gender Equality
Equal rights and opportunities for girls and boys — and how gender norms affect child protection.
What is gender equality?
Gender equality means girls and boys have equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities. It means every child is valued and can reach their full potential regardless of gender.
Gender norms and child protection
Harmful beliefs about what girls and boys "should" do can put children at risk. Girls may be kept home from school, pushed into early marriage, or burdened with heavy domestic work. Boys may be pressured to hide their feelings, use violence to prove strength, or start hazardous work early.
Roles we all play
Families can share chores fairly between daughters and sons and support every child's education equally.
Schools can encourage all children to participate in every subject, sport and leadership role, and challenge stereotypes in the classroom.
Communities and leaders can speak against practices that disadvantage girls or boys and celebrate role models of every gender.
When girls and boys are treated equally, all children are safer.