The debate on single-sex education has been ongoing for a long time. However, recently, a fresh dimension has become important: the role single-sex schools can play in advancing gender equality.

The right of each girl and each boy to equal and free education is central to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Gender equality is about each girl and each boy, each man and each woman being able to enjoy their human rights and their potential as individuals in economic, socio-cultural, civil and public life. It is about men and women being partners and making decisions together so there is peace and harmony in their homes, communities and societies. Schools have an important role to play in preparing girls and boys to listen and communicate effectively with each other to build this respectful partnership.

Every girl and every boy has the right to a free, quality education. Research clearly shows that the relevance of education largely depends on teaching-learning processes and content that are appropriate, engage girls and boys and meet their needs. 

Co-education, single-sex and mixed schools all have the potential to provide safe, empowering learning to both girls and boys. A priority for policy makers is to ensure teacher training and curriculum development respond to girls' as well as boys' learning needs in all schools.

All-girls schools and all-boys schools are not a guarantee of equality just because the way they group students but for the fact that they are at the forefront of promoting gender equality and fighting gender stereotypes.