Noting the ICW resolution SCHOOL LEAVING AGE adopted at the Executive Committee Meeting in The Hague in 1922 and the ICW General Assembly in Dubrovnik in 1936,
Considering the crucial importance of education in personal and societal development,
Recognising that education is a fundamental right, as stipulated by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child,
Acknowledging that despite progress, many girls around the world are still denied equal and free access to education due to gender discrimination, economic, cultural and institutional barriers,
Observing the clear evidence that girls' education has a direct positive impact on poverty reduction, economic growth, improved public health and enhanced social stability,
Concluding that a world where every girl has the opportunity to realise her potential through access to free and unrestricted education contributes to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, in particular, gender equality and access to quality education for all,
THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN, IN REAFFIRMING THE INALIENABLE RIGHT OF EVERY GIRL, REGARDLESS OF HER ETHNIC ORIGIN, RELIGION, SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OR PLACE OF RESIDENCE, TO RECEIVE A FREE AND COMPULSORY QUALITY PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION AT LEAST UP TO SIXTEEN YEARS OF AGE, CALLS ON ITS NATIONAL COUNCILS TO:
• Identify measures and best practices to eliminate systemic, economic and cultural barriers that prevent girls from accessing education, including eradicating hidden school fees, providing free educational materials, and improving school infrastructure to ensure a safe and inclusive learning environment;
• Encourage initiatives that promote awareness of the importance of girls' education in combatting gender stereotypes and harmful cultural practices such as early marriage and child labour;
• Call for increased investment in girls' education by national governments, international organisations, the private sector and civil society;
• Stress the importance of international cooperation and public-private partnerships to mobilise resources and share best practices;
• Call on governments and international organisations to put in place robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to measure progress towards universal and free access to education for girls, ensuring that data is disaggregated by sex, age and other relevant criteria;
• Strengthen teacher capacity building through in-service training and support for teachers so that they are better prepared to meet the specific needs of girls and promote an inclusive and respectful learning environment.
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Source: International Council of Women (ICW-CIF) — 37th General Assembly, Marrakech, Morocco, June 23–28, 2025. Resolution No. 1.
