Efficacy Assessment of a Training Pilot Program on Gender Equality for Teachers

Background. Gender equality education in schools is the most effective tool to combat inequality and gender-based violence (GBV). Teachers often lack the necessary equality knowledge and skills. Objective. The aim of this study was to develop, implement and evaluate the effectiveness of a pilot gender equality programme for prospective teachers. Method. Data was collected from a sample of 113 university students of Early Childhood Education (41.6%) and Primary Education (58.4%) degrees, aged between 21 and 40 years (M=22.46; SD=2.45). Through a longitudinal design, the effectiveness of the training programme was analysed in the following topics: coeducational attitudes, acceptability of GBV and knowledge about gender equality. The Wilcoxon contrast test, including significance and effect size, a Spearman Correlation and Linear Regression analyses were conducted. Results. Statistically significant changes between pre and post measures were obtained: an increase in socio-cultural and relational coeducational attitudes and also in equality knowledge, as well as a decrease in GBV acceptability. According to the findings from linear regression analysis, student teachers who scored higher in coeducational attitudes tended to show lower acceptability of GBV. Conclusions. The need for further designs of training programmes on gender equality is emphasised, and policy-makers and public authorities are called upon to raise awareness of the importance of Gender Equality Teaching (GET) and to develop clear guidelines for universities to address these issues.