Four: Women & Education

The education system plays a pivotal role in achieving the best outcomes for women. This includes promoting women’s financial autonomy, helping women to support their families and communities, and ultimately allowing women to lead dignified and enjoyable lives. Both Australia and India have committed to promoting education and supporting gender equality as part of the Sustainable Development Goals 2015-2030 Agenda. According to UNESCO, literacy rates have drastically increased over the last decades in India, and the gap between girls and boys receiving an education has slowly begun to close. In Australia, more women finish school and attain a tertiary education than men. There is still a long way to go before women and girls are recognised for their knowledge and skills, or before women receive equal pay to men in both countries. However, women are now our student peers, tutors, professors, mentors and role models. Women are paving the way as leaders in our education systems: both in and out of the classroom.