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UNESCO Chair on Gender Equality and Sustainable Development at Koç University organized a Summer Academy on ‘Women’s Empowerment for Sustainable Development’, which was held from 2 to 6 September 2019 in Istanbul.

The Summer Academy was aimed at inspiring a new generation of students and professionals on how to address the SDGs and stimulate enriching discussions and innovative strategies. It covered various topics, from the international legal framework of women’s rights and empowerment to violence against women, women and foreign policy and women’s political participation, among others.

Speakers from different spheres were invited to give lectures at the Summer Academy, such as academics specialized in the field, UN and GREVIO experts. Among the lecturers was Ms Saniye Gülser Corat, UNESCO’s Director for Gender Equality, who gave a talk on ‘Gender Equality and Education: Key to Sustainable Development’.

On 3 September, Ms Corat gave a speech on how empowered women are the key towards sustainable development. She highlighted the importance of education in an ever-changing context affected by mass migration, climate change and continuing violence and discrimination against women. Given UNESCO’s mandate, she emphasized the role that science, culture, arts, technology and communication play in women’s empowerment, and the need for a gender equality lens in all these areas.

When discussing the need for quality and inclusive education, Ms Corat reiterated the impact of schools, stating that “teachers, when they are well equipped, can unlock dreams”. She presented a holistic vision of education, where everyone must feel involved, given the crucial impact it has on tackling discriminations, gender equality and sustainable development.

Finally, Ms Corat introduced how the digital revolution, despite the numerous opportunities it can present for empowerment, autonomy and new tools for education, also comes with new challenges such as unequal participation in technology design, girls’ lack of confidence in their ability to engage in ‘STEM’ education and unequal access to digital tools.

Koç University launched the UNESCO Chair on Gender Equality and Sustainable Development in May 2016. It has since then carried out exemplary research and training on the intersection between human well-being, gender equality and sustainability.

URL:

https://en.unesco.org/news/womens-empowerment-sustainable-development