WiLL-AGREE project: Co-creation Event on Gender and School Leadership Research in Benin

In November 2024, the GPE KIX Women in learning leadership: Advancing gender-responsive education using evidence project (WiLL-AGREE) team convened in Bohicon, Benin, with experts from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Social Affairs, and the National Institute of Statistics and Demography to design the upcoming quantitative survey. 

This survey aims to collect school-level data to identify leadership and management practices of male and female primary headteachers that foster improved learning outcomes, gender equality, and student well-being. It will also explore the career trajectories of women school leaders to uncover actionable strategies for increasing their representation in leadership roles. 

Thanks to the active participation of stakeholders, the workshop yielded significant progress. Key decisions were made regarding research questions, the target population, sampling methods, and survey areas. 

Following the technical workshop, the national consultative group—comprising representatives from NGOs, international organizations, academia, and the Ministry of Education—met to review the draft research strategy and share updates on projects and initiatives related to school leadership and gender equality. 

These collaborative events mark critical steps toward a nationally-owned research process, laying the foundation for sustainable action and stronger appropriation of results in the future.