12th March 2025
INTO Deputy General Secretary Deirdre O’Connor has joined a delegation of women education trade unionists at the 69th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UN CSW) in New York. The delegation, led by Education International (EI), is advocating for increased investment in public education as a key step towards achieving gender equity worldwide.
The Commission, running from 10–21 March, is the world’s most significant forum for advancing gender equality and women’s rights. This year’s session marks 30 years since the adoption of the landmark Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a global blueprint for advancing women’s rights.
Speaking about the event, Deirdre O’Connor emphasised the crucial role of education in addressing gender inequality.
Quality, inclusive education is the foundation of gender equity. Governments must ensure all women and girls have equal access to free, high-quality education and lifelong learning opportunities.
The EI delegation is highlighting the urgent need for governments to prioritise investment in education, ensuring competitive salaries, fair working conditions, and continuous professional development for teachers – a profession predominantly staffed by women. The delegation is also calling for action to address the global teacher shortage by implementing UN recommendations for a strong and resilient teaching workforce.
In collaboration with the global trade union movement, EI is advocating for a gender-transformative New Social Contract, pushing for women’s labour rights, pay equity, and an end to gender-based violence in the workplace. The Declaration adopted on Monday endorsed important workers’ rights, including the right to collective bargaining, equal pay and freedom from discrimination. A key demand is for all governments to ratify and implement the International Labour Organization’s Convention 190 to eliminate violence and harassment at work. The Irish government will co-host a side event on Friday about the implementation of this Convention.
Additionally, EI is urging governments to work with educators and their unions to combat school-related gender-based violence, ensuring safe learning environments for all students and education staff.
The INTO remains committed to supporting policies that advance gender equity in education and beyond, ensuring that investment in public education remains a global priority.