Education Ministers affirmed today the need to take effective action to address homophobic and transphobic violence in education at an International Ministerial Meeting on Education Sector Responses to Violence Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity/Expression at UNESCO in Paris.
Acknowledging that homophobic and transphobic violence in education is a global problem, they also committed to strengthen and scale up education sector responses to ensure schools are safe places where children and young people can learn free from threats and violence.
The Call for Action by Ministers, the first of its kind on homophobic and transphobic violence in education, was issued on the final day of the 17-18 May 2016 UNESCO event. The purpose of the meeting, was to raise political momentum for a meaningful agreement to tackle this violence in educational settings. It drew together Ministers and representatives from government, civil society, UN agencies and other multi-lateral agencies.
“For the first time, the education sector recognises its responsibilities in tackling homophobic and transphobic violence. The document is relatively short but it is powerful as it changes our perspective,” said Soo Hyang Choi UNESCO Division Director for Inclusion, Peace and Sustainable Development, following the endorsement for the Call for Action.
UNESCO Director General, Irina Bokova, welcomed the Call for Action by Ministers, adding that the education sector has a responsibility to provide safe and inclusive learning environments for all students.
Other countries are invited to sign the Call for Action before the end of July.
Homophobic bullying most likely to occur in school
UNESCO on Tuesday 17 May released a global report on the phenomenon, which found that a significant percentage of students who are, or are perceived to be, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI), experience homophobic and transphobic violence in school. According to studies reviewed for the report, it ranges from 55 per cent in Thailand, to 68 per cent in Europe and 85 per cent in the United States.
The UNESCO report finds that violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression is more likely to happen in school than at home or in the community.
Students who are subjected to this type of violence are more likely to miss class, skip school, avoid school activities, have lower academic achievement or even drop out of school. In Argentina, 45 per cent of transgender students dropped out of school due to bullying and exclusion, while LGBT* students in Australia, China, Denmark, El Salvador, Italy and Poland, reported lower academic achievement due to the violence.
The report calls for a comprehensive, whole school response, to end homophobic and transphobic violence in educational settings.
*Data not available for intersex students
Call for Action
- View the Call for Action by Ministers in English, French and Spanish.
- Countries wishing to support the Call for Action should contact Christophe Cornu: c.cornu(at)unesco.org
Report
- The summary report is available for download in English and French
- The full report is available for download in English
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