On 29-30 April 2026, the third meeting of the Council of Europe’s Gender Equality in Education Scorecard (GESC) Working Group was held in Strasbourg. The meeting brought together leading experts in education and gender equality, reaffirming the Council of Europe’s commitment to mainstreaming gender equality across European education systems. This initiative is a collaborative effort between the Education Department and the Gender Equality Division.

Crucially, this initiative is fully aligned with the ambitions set out in the New Democratic Pact for Europe, contributing to the Council of Europe’s priorities of learning and practicing, protecting and innovating for democratic societies by promoting transformative gender equality in and through education.

Building on the positive feedback received at the recent plenary session of the Steering Committee for Education (CDEDU), this meeting focused on key advancements and next steps in developing the GESC as a practical, evidence-based self-evaluation tool for policymakers and educational institutions.

Two scorecards: one for policymakers and one for education institutions, gathering data from diverse actors such as learners, teachers, and school staff will be developed. This ensures the GESC addresses the realities and diversity of education across Member States.

The CDEDU’s guidance and support for the GESC were acknowledged, especially its emphasis on robust data analysis, effective visualisation.

The working group’s efforts mark a significant step towards making gender equality in education a measurable, actionable European reality. The next meeting will continue to build on these foundations, with the aim of finalising key tools and preparing for the piloting phase with certain Member States by 2027.

For further information, please contact the Council of Europe Education Department or Gender Equality Division.