Our work on education identifies good practices and innovative approaches that enhance gender equality in areas as varied as reducing financial barriers, curriculum reform, teacher training and system-strengthening. Our analysis examines how formal and informal education contributes to girls’ skills and wider agency, for example in life decisions such as marriage, and how education can better prepare young people for changing labour markets.

We also explore ways to mitigate threats to girls’ education in conflict-affected contexts and strategies to combat gender-based violence in schools. Our research explores the effectiveness of life skills education in helping both boys and girls develop gender-equitable attitudes and behaviour.

Recent work also brings together evidence on educational opportunities and outcomes for adolescents and young people with disabilities and the impact of anti-discrimination initiatives. Our work through the ALIGN platform explores routes to shifting harmful gender norms through school curricula and routes to supporting gender-equitable skills development, including girls’ education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.