This article attempts to locate approaches to understanding gender, education and notions of the international within debates on global social justice and cosmopolitanism. It looks at the work of three feminist scholars (Martha Nussbaum, Onora O'Neill and Iris Young) on this theme, draws out some ways in which they engage critiques of cosmopolitanism and considers some of the implications of their work for thinking about gender equality and comparative education. Two examples of work on gender equality in education at global level are assessed: the attempt to introduce gender dimensions into assessments of global financing for Education for All through the Fast Track Initiative and improved forms of monitoring of gender equality in education at national and international levels. The difficulties encountered and some of the implications for understanding discussions of cosmopolitanism are outlined, together with a case for strengthening and supporting work on gender and global social justice that takes participation and ethical reflection as a central concern.