Background information about gender inequity is provided, and the assertion is made that educators must recognize that many of the problems females encounter are begun and perpetuated in the schools. Visual literacy is part of the change that schools must make in order to make greater strides toward gender equity. Two connections between visual literacy and gender equity are female images and the exploitation of those images in popular media, and the portrayal of gender stereotypes in textbooks and children's literature. Five factors contribute to the unequal treatment of females in children's literature: (1) male bias in career preparation and reading material; (2) peculiarities in the English language, such as the use of male pronouns when no gender is indicated; (3) sexist literary heritage and the glorification of the male in traditional literature; (4) the preponderance of male artists; and (5) the sexuality of women's bodies. Recommended global changes include: make schools cooperative rather than competitive; confront "isms" in an upfront manner; focus on equity; begin early and be patient; change standardized testing; eliminate tracking; and don't use visuals that contain gender bias. Recommended specific changes can affect gender equity both in and outside of the schools: dispel stereotypes; increase self-confidence; use classroom peer pressure in a positive way; encourage cooperation; provide female role models; adjust the sense of dependency of some female students; encourage female students to play with typically male toys; and choose and use appropriate literature and textbooks. (Contains 8 references.) (MAS)