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Abstract
Gender discrimination remains a major barrier to democratic participation, as it systematically silences or marginalizes certain voices. This article examines how gender-sensitive pedagogy can counteract such mechanisms in higher education by integrating bell hooks’ feminist pedagogy, Paulo Freire’s critical pedagogy, and Jack Mezirow’s transformative learning theory. Using a case study of an international Erasmus Blended Intensive Program (BIP) workshop delivered in 2025 at the University of Sassari (Italy), the paper describes and interprets participatory teaching practices, with a particular focus on the “Gender Box” activity. The empirical material includes students’ visual outputs, observations of group work, and statements made during the facilitated debriefing discussion. The analysis indicates the activation of critical reflection, increased awareness of gendered power relations, and the development of students’ agency, empathy, and solidarity. The article concludes with institutional recommendations for more inclusive learning environments.
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References
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- Chapin, J., Skovgaard, M., Warne, V. (2020). Gender responsive pedagogy in higher education: A framework. INASP. https://www.inasp.info/sites/default/files/2021-01/ Gender%20responsive%20pedagogy%20Framework%20paper.pdf
- Crenshaw, K.W. (1989). Demarginalizing the intersection of race and sex: A Black feminist critique of antidiscrimination doctrine, feminist theory and antiracist politics. University of Chicago Legal Forum, 1, 139–167.
- Czerepaniak-Walczak, M. (2006). Pedagogika emancypacyjna. Gdańskie Wydawnictwo Psychologiczne.
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- Adult and Continuing Education, (74), 5–12. https://doi.org/10.1002/ace.7401 Mezirow, J. (1991). Transformative Dimensions of Adult Learning. Jossey-Bass. Morley, L. (2009). Momentum and melancholia: Women in higher education internationally. W: M. W. Apple, S. J. Ball, L. A. Gandin (red.), The Routledge international handbook of the sociology of education (s. 384–395). Routledge. https://doi. org/10.4324/9780203863701
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References
Akello, S., Osman, A. A. (2015). Education as a practice of freedom: Reflections on bell hooks. Journal of Education and Practice, 6(17), 195–200. https://files.eric. ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1079754.pdf
Bandura, A. (1977). Self-efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. Psychological Review, 84(2), 191–215. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.84.2.191 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.84.2.191
bell hooks. (1994). Teaching to transgress: Education as the practice of freedom. Routledge. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3366/para.1994.17.3.270
Chapin, J., Skovgaard, M., Warne, V. (2020). Gender responsive pedagogy in higher education: A framework. INASP. https://www.inasp.info/sites/default/files/2021-01/ Gender%20responsive%20pedagogy%20Framework%20paper.pdf
Crenshaw, K.W. (1989). Demarginalizing the intersection of race and sex: A Black feminist critique of antidiscrimination doctrine, feminist theory and antiracist politics. University of Chicago Legal Forum, 1, 139–167.
Czerepaniak-Walczak, M. (2006). Pedagogika emancypacyjna. Gdańskie Wydawnictwo Psychologiczne.
FAWE. (2018). Gender responsive pedagogy: A toolkit for teachers and schools (Wyd. 2.). Forum for African Women Educationalists.
Freire, P. (1970). Pedagogy of the oppressed. Herder and Herder.
Freire, P. (2005). Pedagogy of the oppressed (Wyd. 30.; M. B. Ramos, przekł.; D. Macedo, wstęp). Continuum. https://files.libcom.org/files/Paulo%20Freire,%20 Myra%20Bergman%20Ramos,%20Donaldo%20Macedo%20-%20Pedagogy%20of%20the%20Oppressed,%2030th%20Anniversary%20Edition%20(2000,%20Bloomsbury%20Academic).pdf
IPU. (2025, 1 stycznia). Monthly ranking of women in national parliaments. Ranking as of 1st January 2025. InterParliamentary Union. https://data.ipu.org/women- -ranking/?date_month=1&date_year=2025
Judeh, R. (2020, 10 marca). Why true democracy cannot exist without gender equali- ty. Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy. https://nimd.org/why-true-democracy-cannot-exist-without-gender-equality/
Katz, J. (1995). Reconstructing masculinity in the locker room: The Mentors in Violence Prevention Project. Harvard Educational Review, 65(2), 163–174. https://doi.org/10.17763/haer.65.2.55533188520136u1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.17763/haer.65.2.55533188520136u1
Mezirow, J. (1997). Transformative learning: Theory to practice. New Directions for DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ace.7401
Adult and Continuing Education, (74), 5–12. https://doi.org/10.1002/ace.7401 Mezirow, J. (1991). Transformative Dimensions of Adult Learning. Jossey-Bass. Morley, L. (2009). Momentum and melancholia: Women in higher education internationally. W: M. W. Apple, S. J. Ball, L. A. Gandin (red.), The Routledge international handbook of the sociology of education (s. 384–395). Routledge. https://doi. org/10.4324/9780203863701
Nabbuye, H. (2018, listopad). Gender-sensitive pedagogy: The bridge to girls’ quality education in Uganda. Center for Universal Education at Brookings. https://www. brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Hawah-Nabbuye-FOR-WEBSITE. pdf
Shor, I. (1992). Empowering education: Critical teaching for social change. University of Chicago Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7208/chicago/9780226147864.001.0001
United Nations. (2015). Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustaina- ble Development. Department of Economic and Social Affairs. https://sdgs. un.org/2030agenda