Gender equality in higher education institutions is crucial for creating fair and inclusive environments where everyone has equal opportunities to learn, grow, and succeed. When institutions prioritise gender equality, they not only uphold fundamental principles of justice and human rights but also harness the full potential of their diverse student body and faculty. By addressing gender disparities in enrollment, retention, leadership, and access to resources, higher education institutions can foster innovation, creativity, and excellence. Moreover, promoting gender equality in academia contributes to broader societal goals of breaking down stereotypes, promoting social justice, and building a more equitable world for future generations.

According to the 2021 She Figures report, only a third of researchers in the EU were women in 2018 and their working conditions were inferior.

Women are still under-represented in university governing bodies, in the representation of universities, and at various levels of university decision-making. Traditionally, areas of knowledge and fields of research with a majority presence of women have not been accorded the same recognition as others, and fields focusing on gender issues have remained outside the circle of academic recognition altogether. Gender inequality in research limits the value of scientific knowledge for finding equitable and inclusive solutions to contemporary social problems, as envisioned in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.