Equality Plans and Gender Perception in University Students

Abstract

Despite the growing interest in the subject, the gender perceptions in the context of university studies have not been sufficiently studied so far. In this contribution, what is being proposed is a practical approach in the Spanish university system assessing the progress regarding the perception of equality among students receiving training on gender perspective in the framework of an Equality Plan. For this purpose, a case study was designed by assessing the progress as regards equality perceptions in the student body of the Universidad de Valencia Estudio General (UVEG). 338 students in grades filled out questionnaires on gender both before (225) and after (113) receiving a course in gender training. Results show Equality Plans with gender training significantly improves gender perception in university students. Academic institutions can play an essential role in ensuring developing Equality Plans with initiatives in education concerning gender equality.