The Council of International Schools (CIS) discovered through their research that there is a gender gap when it comes to women in senior leadership positions in schools and that it also takes women longer to be appointed and that they are also paid less.* Jane Larsson says that “A majority of the issues we discuss with schools can be attributed to (cultural) differences.” So, what are the biases when it comes to women in education? What behaviours reinforce perceptions/stereotypes about women in the workplace that become barriers for aspiring leaders. How can we ensure that our schools are places that promote equity, and healthy and safe learning environments for all educators – that in turn impacts our students. Jane Larsson (CIS) and Angeline Aow (@WomenEdDE) will provide an overview of Gender Bias and Behaviours (unconscious/conscious) and examples of how to challenge behaviours that reinforce negative beliefs and cultures. We will also share an overview of behaviours that constitute harassment, bullying, discrimination, abuse and neglect. Some anonymised scenarios that we can learn from and what needs to be put in place to ensure that all of us in schools are safeguarded will also be shared. We encourage everyone to attend to learn about how your action – and inaction – contributes to gender parity, safety and security in our educational institutions. additional information * https://www.cois.org/about-cis/perspectives-blog/blog-post/~board/perspectivesblog/post/asking-the-right-questions-gender-gap-revealed-in-pay-for-international-schoolleaders CIS has made great progress with their child protection focus and initiatives. This session expands upon these same principles to ensure the health, safety and well-being of the adults in our learning communities.
Outcomes: Session take-aways: • an understanding of the relationship between perceptions/bias and attitudes. How these attitudes influence behaviours and the rationalisations we make that become self-fulling prophesies that, in turn, become our biases. • overview of behaviours that constitute harassment, bullying, discrimination, abuse and neglect. • an understanding that our international school communities are not immune to bad behaviours and considerations and strategies to take back to your schools. Underreporting in our institutions exists. • strategies to ensure that we are building cultures of care and respect that safeguards our whole learning community. Prevention is better than cure!
