“Free to Be Me”: Unlearning and Breaking Free from Restrictive Gender Norms

Oxfam in Liberia

Free to Be Me is an activity book developed by the Kids Educational Engagement Project with the support of Oxfam in Liberia. It targets children in the age of 3-12 years, aiming to interrupt gender role socialization and teach about harmful gender norms through a benefits-based approach. The book has guided activities and conversation ideas for parents and teachers, encouraging critical reflection and opening up new possibilities for work and family life. Both the Ministry of Education and Gender were involved in the creation of the book, and both have committed to getting the book included in the school curriculum and to encourage its use in informal settings. 

Parents and teachers who use the book says that it has changed the way they think about gender and helped them recognize their own gender biases. Children reading the book are already showing an increased sense of agency and confidence that they are free to be themselves. 

Not only does the book show the importance of developing relevant, critical and gender transformative content. It also highlights the need for education methodologies and practices that are inclusive and fosters critical reflection in order to effectively realize the potential of gender transformative content and curricula.