Effect of gender sensitisation programme on perceived gender roles and social skills in relation to school climate of class IX students

Abstract

India is the most populous country in the world and it is estimated that by the year 2030 youth population will constitute 32.26 % of total population. In such a situation it becomes essential to take advantage of the demographic dividend. Schools provide an ideal environment where adolescent girls and boys can be made to challenge inequitable gender stereotypes and develop their social skills. The Gender Sensitisation Programme was implemented in a Government and a Private Model Senior Secondary School, located in Chandigarh. The objectives of the programme were to develop egalitarian gender attitudes and improve social skills among adolescent girls and boys. Pre-test Post-test equivalent groups design was used to conduct the study. Sample consisted of 160 students with a break up of 80 students in each school and each condition. Factorial designs of 2X2X2 ANOVA were used to analyse the quantitative data. Results of the study showed considerable improvement in perception of gender roles and social skills among adolescent participants included in the experimental groups irrespective of gender, type of school and school climate. The study concluded that Gender Sensitisation Programmes play an important role in challenging as well as improving gender roles attitudes and social skills among adolescent girls and boys. newline