Promoting Gender Equality in Early Childhood Education: Lessons from the Nordic Countries

Abstract

Education plays a pivotal role in promoting gender equality and Early Childhood Education (ECE) is fast emerging as a new frontier to achieve this. The Nordic countries lead the pack in advancing gender equality in ECE, setting an exemplary standard for other nations. On one hand, they have included gender mainstreaming in their policies and regulations regarding ECE. By using Gender Equality Planning and Gender certificates, they ensure that gender equality is integral to ECE at the institutional level. On the other hand, the Nordic countries have also systematically advanced gender equality in ECE from various perspectives. They have done this by improving gender balance in the teaching workforce, integrating gender equality education into teacher training programs, and providing gender equality education in kindergarten settings. These experiences offer valuable insights for countries worldwide aiming to promote gender equality in the ECE stage.