Addressing the recognition of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression in curricula and textbooks is a struggle worldwide. An inclusive education index covering 49 European countries found that 19 had inclusive national curricula that made it mandatory to address sexual orientation, 7 made it optional and 23 did not address the issue explicitly (Avila 2018).   

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There are a number of treaties and mechanisms established within an EU level that aim to address gender disparity. A lot of gender based data that concerns participation in various levels of education include countries such as Turkey, Albania and Bosnia Herzegovina that do not belong in the EU but are located in Europe. Therefore, governments, organizations and the public can have a comparative understanding of the conditions in the region. 

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At the EU level, there are databases and indexes both at a European and Member State level, developed to address the dimension of gender and education. 

 

The European Commission has started an initiative, Science: it’s a girl thing, to promote STEM disciplines among young girls (European Institute for Gender Equality, Gender in Education and Training, 2016).

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The Europe 2020 strategic agenda aims at promoting smart sustainable and inclusive growth. Literacy, numeracy and building basic skills in science and technology are key elements. Regarding the primary and secondary education the target is the reduction of the rate of young people (15 years old) who do not have the necessary skills (literacy, mathematics, science and technology)