The Israeli Center for Gender Equity in Education

The Center for Gender Equality in Education

A Changing Reality

While significant strides have been made toward gender equality, there is still a long way to go to eliminate barriers that limit individuals from achieving their full potential based on their strengths and aspirations. Gender roles influence self-image, interests, behavior, and personal and professional goals from a young age. In educational environments, these perceptions perpetuate gender inequality, constraining the development of both boys and girls.


What Happens in Educational Spaces?

  • Social Constructs: Preconceived notions about the “nature” of boys and girls create differing expectations that hinder the realization of their potential in both formal and informal educational settings.
  • Unconscious Bias: Educational staff often unconsciously treat boys and girls differently—forgiving boys for disruptive behavior while expecting girls to excel academically and display sensitivity.
  • Gender-Based Violence: This includes verbal abuse related to sexual orientation, social sanctions against those who don’t conform to gender norms, and sexual harassment.
  • Lack of Dialogue: Despite its relevance, there is rarely space for an honest and educational discussion on gender among youth.
  • Overlooked Importance: Gender issues are often sidelined for seemingly more urgent topics, even though addressing them is essential for any meaningful educational or social progress.
  • Fragmented Efforts: While awareness of gender issues is growing, most initiatives remain localized and fail to drive systemic change.

Mission of the Center for Gender Equality in Education

Established by the Association for Educational Advancement in Jerusalem, the center aims to foster a society where every individual has the right and opportunity to fully express themselves, free from gender-based barriers. This fundamental right must first be realized in the educational sphere—a primary space for learning, growth, and development.

The center’s approach emphasizes active, conscious examination of behaviors through a gender lens to identify and replace practices that perpetuate discrimination with those that promote equality. According to the center, addressing gender inequality is not a luxury but a basic necessity for both boys and girls.


Key Activities of the Center

  1. Guiding Educational and Social Organizations: Supporting the integration of practices that promote gender equality.
  2. Developing Models and Tools: Creating resources focused on education and gender.
  3. Training and Professional Development: Providing education and skills for educators and staff.
  4. Initiating and Running Programs: Operating gender-focused initiatives in educational and community spaces.
  5. Hosting Events: Organizing study days, conferences, and learning sessions.
  6. Evaluation and Research: Assessing initiatives and conducting related studies.
  7. International Collaboration: Building partnerships to advance global dialogue and practices in gender equality.

Leadership

Yael Boym-Fain, the founding director of the Center for Gender Equality in Education, is an educator, manager, and social activist. She previously established and led the Education Department at Beit Avi Chai.

Yael holds academic qualifications in communication, culture, gender studies, and pluralistic education. She is a graduate of the Mandel School for Educational Leadership and the U.S. State Department’s leadership program. Additionally, she serves on the board of the Gender and Education Association (GEA), an international organization promoting education and gender equality.

Feel free to contact us with any questions, for advice, additional information, or inquiries about open days.

Feel free to contact us with any questions, for advice, additional information, or inquiries about open days.