Educating for Gender Equity in Mexico (webinar)
Partner Perspectives series
On November 12 we had a conversation with several leaders from MUSOR, a Pangea partner working in Oaxaca, Mexico, one of Mexico’s poorest states. They work to end gender discrimination and create a culture of peace. They discussed how they they are inventing new means of connecting with and educating student populations in the time of COVID-19.
Gender Equity and Education in Mexico
Mexico is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for women. Violence against women and teen pregnancy are among the highest in the world—issues that have been exacerbated by a pandemic that has resulted in widespread quarantine, closed schools and economic crisis. COVID-19 has also made it difficult for organizations fighting to improve women’s quality of life to reach and support them in many communities.
Mexican public schools reopened on August 24 with remote learning largely through a national television-based curriculum. This education strategy has been able to reach most children in their homes, but it has made it challenging for schools to provide specialized programs that address local community needs, including education around sexual health and gender equity.
MUSOR Background
MUSOR is a non-profit based in Mexico City that aims to promote a culture of peace and eliminate discrimination and all forms of violence against women. Pangea is funding a MUSOR project that aims to deconstruct outdated gender beliefs and prejudices by educating youth. With strong parental and teacher support, the project is implemented among secondary school students in the district of Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán, in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. Last year our Pangea site visit team had an opportunity to see this project in action, sitting in on student presentations, workshops, speeches and plays aimed at cementing the young people’s understanding of their sexual rights and responsibilities, how to prevent teen pregnancy, and observe mutual respect and civility to create an environment of peace in their communities. Read more about the site visit in this blog post by Pangea member Betsy Hale or this blog post by Pangea staff member Nick Dreher.
Other Partner Perspective Series Events
Navigating the Challenges of COVID-19 in Kenya’s Rift Valley
From Vulnerability to Empowerment: Dr. Nge Nge and Muditar