UN commission explores threats to global education

The UN’s Commission on Population and Development (CPD) has started examining the various threats to the achievement of the global educational goal, stressing the importance of quality and inclusive education for women and girls. UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed warned that the goal of achieving quality education for all by 2030 is “seriously off track”, with 263 million children and young people out of school, reports Xinhua news agency. Mohammed made the statement at the latest CPD session, held at the UN headquarters in New York, where the issue is under scrutiny this week. The current session, its 56th, will conclude on Friday. Mohammed highlighted the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan, who have been banned from high school and university, calling it “one of the gravest educational challenges of our time”. She stressed the need “to transform the education system” to equip current and future generations with the skills they need to thrive in a fast-changing world. She also called for initiatives to make all learners “climate-ready” and connected to the internet and digital innovation, especially for girls and women from the Global South who are the most excluded. The importance of inclusive education for women and girls in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics was also emphasized by Mohammed and Natalia Kanem, executive director of the UN Population Fund. They noted that education is a “door opener” and “life changer” for vulnerable women and girls, reducing the risk of harmful practices and increasing health, income, and participation in the formal labour market. Kanem highlighted the significance of safeguarding education for everyone, including comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), which equips young people with information and skills to develop healthy and positive relationships. CSE empowers girls to avoid unintended pregnancies and encourages both genders to stay in school, among other benefits. She emphasiz