11.02.2025

Advancing Gender Equality in Lifelong Learning: Insights from the Gender Equality Task Force Kick-off Meeting

At the beginning of February, the Gender Equality Task Force for Lifelong Learning organised an online kick-off for its 2025 activities. The webinar was an opportunity for the members of the Task Force, including policy advisors, institutional directors, project officers, and public authorities, to discuss the initiative’s upcoming activities. 17 participants attended the meeting.

Capacity Building in Adult Education and Gender Equality

The Gender Equality Task Force (GE TF), which includes representatives from EARLLAL, EAEA, and EfVET, outlined its ongoing initiatives to promote gender equality in lifelong learning. Alicia Gaban introduced EARLLAL’s network and its commitment to the cause, while Marina Sakač Hadžić presented EAEA’s paper on Capacity-Building in Adult Education for Gender Equality (2024). The paper explores the intersection of adult education and gender equality, drawing inspiration from the Gender Equality Task Force’s work. She addressed the challenges posed by digital spaces and the emergence of “manosphere” that creates unsafe environments for women and gender non-conforming individuals. The background paper outlines six key recommendations for capacity-building including the development of gender-sensitive curricula and the creation of inclusive learning environments.

Screenshot of the presentation of EAEA's background paper: Capacity-building in ALE institutions for gender equality.
It contains the cover page of the paper, and an excerpt of the text: Adult education and learning should empower individuals and communities. By building literacy and critical thinking skills, we can understand our biases, perspectives and living contexts. The roots of these assertions come from theoretical thinkers such as Paulo Freire, bell Hooks, and Malcolm Knowles.

Upcoming initiatives 

After consultation with the Task Force members, the following priorities were identified: 

  • Strengthening gender equality in digital spaces.
  • Developing capacity-building initiatives in ALE.
  • Addressing gender disparities in TVET and AI.
  • Tackling violence in educational spaces, including cyberbullying.
  • Empowering migrant women through education and advocacy.

Interested in getting involved in the Gender Equality Task Force in Lifelong Learning more? Contact gendertforce [at] gmail.com or our Communication and Capacity-Building Officer Marina Sakač Hadžić at marina.sakac [at] eaea.org

Text: Marina Sakač Hadžić

27.06.2025 Gender Equality Task Force

Flexibility is key for the inclusion of women into the labour market

On 27 June 2025, EAEA, EARLALL and EfVET co-organised an online webinar called “Inclusion of unemployed women into the Labour Market”. The webinar  gathered 28 participants to hear about good practices and policies across Europe, which highlighted the role of flexible learning pathways for true inclusivity.

26.06.2025 active ageing

Active Ageing: European frameworks and progress

Europe is experiencing a demographic change without precedent, with a rapidly ageing population that presents both challenges and opportunities for European societies. Within this context, the concept of "active ageing" must be increasingly central to EU policy.

23.06.2025 EAEA Annual Conference

EAEA Annual Events 2025: Adult learning is a clear voice in times of change

At a time when democracy, trust, and societal cohesion are under pressure across Europe, EAEA’s Annual Events highlighted how learning empowers people to stand up for shared values, engage in their communities, and support each other through uncertainty.