G20 delegates have affirmed that the transformative action taken at various levels of society will assist local and international communities in instilling critical values in children, including tolerance to cultural diversity, respect for human dignity and compassion. The UN Girls’ Education Initiative (UNGEI) and the Departments of Basic Education and Higher Education and Training convened the Seminar on Education for Gender Equality and Peace, under the theme, Advancing Gender Transformative Education for All, focusing on G20 countries and beyond. The seminar, organised under South Africa’s G20 presidency, took place at the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC) in the KwaZulu-Natal Province on 1 July 2025. Premier of KwaZulu-Natal Province, Mr  Thamsanqa Ntuli, the Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Mr Buti Manamela and Deputy Minister of Basic Education, Dr Reginah Mhaule officiated the Seminar.

Topics tabled for discussion during various panel discussions were, Gender Transformative Leadership for Education; Ending gender stereotypes through education; Gender-based Violence in education setting; and the vulnerabilities of young men and boys, and children in all their diversity. During interactive sessions, various G20 delegates emphasized that gender transformative education should be strengthened as a key lever towards achieving sustainable development and inclusive economic growth. The delegates also pointed out that global education systems need to be reshaped to dismantle gender biases, address School-Related Gender-Based Violence (SRGBV) and ensure the full participation of girls and boys in all aspects of learning and leadership.

Sharing her insights during the seminar, Deputy Minister Mhaule said that boy learners should take charge in rejecting toxic masculinity: “We need to create a learning environment where girl learners are empowered to pursue their highest aspirations, and where children of all gender identities feel safe, valued and supported. This transformation requires us to examine and reform everything from our curricula and pedagogies to our infrastructure and community engagement strategies. The children whose future depends on our decisions today are counting on us. Let us not disappoint them”.

Premier Nthuli urged delegates to focus deliberations on empowerment, equity and agency to ensure that the voices of learners in rural areas and under-resourced communities were given urgent consideration: “Education is not just a pathway to opportunity; it is a human right. We must build systems that challenge gender inequality, dismantle harmful norms, and create environments where every learner can thrive regardless of gender”.

In his keynote address, Deputy Minister Manamela said that, “education is not merely about access or infrastructure, but it is also about justice. A classroom is not just a site for learning, but a battle ground for equality, safety and dignity because, across the globe, education continues to reproduce the very inequalities that we seek to dismantle. So a gender transformative education seminar led by Education Ministries, as a precursor to the third Education Working Group is timely.”