5 Ways to Help Boys Champion Gender Equality – On IWD and Beyond

A few years ago, I attended an International Women's Day reception at the Houses of Parliament. The room was full of inspiring, passionate women - leaders, activists, and change-makers - all celebrating the progress we’ve made toward gender equality. But something struck me. While we were discussing the importance of equality, there were very few men in the room. It felt like we were talking about gender equality in an echo chamber. While it was a fantastic event, I walked away thinking: If we truly want to accelerate action towards gender equality, we need to make sure boys and men are part of the conversation. After all, gender equality benefits everyone.

As parents and carers of young boys, we have an incredible opportunity to shape how they see the world and their role in it. And yet, a 2019 report by Plan International found that only 14% of boys aged 12-18 in the UK had been encouraged to discuss gender equality at school. If we want to create a fairer society, we need to start by helping our boys understand why gender equality matters - not just for their sisters, mothers or female friends, but for them too.

So, how do we talk to boys about gender equality in a way that makes sense to them? Here are five simple ways to get started:

1. Help Set the Scene: Explain Why We Still Need to Champion Gender Equality

My son once asked why there were so many songs and books about girl power. What about boy power? He felt left out and unimportant. It dawned on me that he lacked context. And he’s not alone. Many boys feel puzzled or excluded by the strong focus on girls' empowerment. When they don’t feel part of the conversation, they may seek answers elsewhere - sometimes from sources that reinforce unhelpful stereotypes. By addressing their feelings and involving them in discussions about gender equality, we can help them feel valued and engaged in building a fairer world for everyone.

Here are a few facts to help provide context:

• 100 years ago, women didn’t have the same right to vote as men
• 50 years ago, many women were expected to leave work after having children
• Today, gender gaps remain:
  • Only 10% of CEO positions at the UK’s largest companies (FTSE 100) are held by women (as of February 2025)
  • As of March 2025, women make up just 35% of Members of Parliament (MPs) in the UK

By working towards gender equality, we can help close these gaps and create a fairer, more inclusive society. If you enjoy podcasts, Caitlin Moran and Jameela Jamil’s discussion on boys feeling isolated and excluded - and why they must be part of the gender equality conversation - is well worth a listen.

2. Help Boys Understand Fairness and Gender Equality

Children develop a strong sense of fairness from an early age - whether it’s about taking turns in a game, sharing toys, or being treated equally at school. This natural instinct can be a great entry point for discussing gender equality with boys.

Try these approaches:

• Explain that fairness means everyone having the same opportunities, whether in school, sports or careers.
• Use relatable examples: “How would you feel if you weren’t allowed to play football just because you were a boy? That wouldn’t be fair, would it?”
• Read books that challenge stereotypes - where girls are scientists and boys are caring and kind.
• Ask open-ended questions like, “Do you think that’s fair? Why or why not?” to encourage critical thinking.

The International Women’s Day campaign by Finansförbundet features a great, kid-friendly video that can help prompt discussion around fairness.

3. Empower Boys to Challenge Gender Stereotypes from a Young Age

Many gender stereotypes are absorbed early in life. Phrases like “boys don’t cry” or “that’s a girl’s toy” shape children’s beliefs about what’s acceptable for their gender.

Here’s a few ideas for how you can challenge these ideas:

• Let your child play with whatever toys they enjoy - whether that’s dolls, trucks or a mix of both.
• Celebrate kindness, empathy, and teamwork in boys, just as much as strength and bravery.
• Point out gender stereotypes in TV programmes, books or adverts and ask, “Do you think that’s true for everyone?”
• Encourage boys to call out unfairness - for example, if girls aren’t allowed to join a game at school, or if someone is teased for liking something ‘for girls.’ Frame equality as a shared benefit: “When everyone is treated fairly, we all win.”

4. Model Gender Equality at Home

Children learn more from what we do than what we say. Show them what equality looks like at home:

• Share household chores equally - let them see men cooking and cleaning just as much as women.
• If you work outside the home, talk about your job with pride, whether you’re a dad or a mum
• Encourage male family members to express their feelings openly, breaking down the idea that men should always be tough.

5. Highlight Inspiring Women and Role Models

Boys are more likely to value gender equality when they see the incredible things women around them do every day.

• Tell them about strong female role models - whether that’s their grandmother, a female astronaut or their teacher.
• Celebrate International Women’s Day together - have a special meal, share stories about inspiring women and discuss ways your family can support fairness every day.
• Encourage boys to come up with ideas on how they can help create a fairer world.

How Boys Can Help Build a Gender-Equal Future

International Women’s Day isn’t just about celebrating women - it’s about creating a world where gender doesn’t limit anyone. And that starts with the lessons we teach our children today.

At Ducky Zebra, we believe that what children wear can shape their perceptions of gender. That’s why all our clothes are free from gender stereotypes, celebrating kindness, confidence and equality. As Sally Dear, Founder of Ducky Zebra, says:

“The messages we give our children - through words, actions and even clothing - shape how they see themselves and others. By encouraging fairness and challenging stereotypes from an early age, we can help create a future where every child, regardless of gender, has the opportunity to thrive.”

So let’s accelerate action together, one conversation at a time. How do you encourage fairness and challenge stereotypes at home? Share your thoughts below - we’d love to hear from you!