On the Fate of Women: “Equality Does Not Mean Identity”

Although the IBE produced some pioneering surveys in the 1930s on women and education, the only International Conference entirely devoted to this question took place as late as 1952, on the initiative of the women’s NGOs supported by UNESCO. But the IBE’s recommendations expressly call for broad access to education for women at all levels of schooling, including universities and vocational courses. Contradictions remained: opinions plainly reducing women to their biological reproductive functions faced clearly heard demands for equality in education. After this conference, one can observe an increased awareness of the injustice suffered by girls and women, in access to both courses of study and diplomas.